The National Security Council has recommended the government to deploy the Nepali Army for election security scheduled to take place on March 5.

On the Cabinet’s recommendation, President Ramchandra Paudel will authorise the government to deploy the army in the polls. Article 266 of the constitution mandates recommending the force’s deployment by the council to the Cabinet.

A meeting of the council on Thursday made a decision to this effect, according to a statement issued after the meeting.

Defence Secretary Suman Raj Aryal, who is member-secretary of the council, stated that the 41st meeting of the council decided to recommend to the government the deployment of the Nepali Army for the House of Representatives election scheduled for March.

The Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday approved the integrated security plan for the elections and dispatched them to all 77 district administration offices for implementation.

As per the integrated security plan, all 77 district administration offices will formulate a security plan where personnel belonging to all four security agencies and temporary police, will be deployed in each pool.

The council has decided to recommend to the government the deployment of the army to ensure the election is conducted in a fair manner and an atmosphere free of intimidation, read the statement issued by Aryal.

The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Sushila Karki and included the Council members—Minister for Finance Rameshore Khanal, Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal, Chief Secretary Ek Narayan Aryal, Chief of Army Staff Gen Ashok Raj Sigdel, and Defence Secretary Aryal.

The meeting also discussed the emerging security situation and the potential challenges it might pose to the elections.

Also discussed was the clash between the Gen Z group and the CPN-UML in Simara, Bara, on Wednesday and Thursday, its aftermath, and the overall security status.

Defence secretary Aryal said that the meeting saw discussions on potential challenges to national security and the impact that recent national and international developments could have on it.