A total of 10 polling stations in Makalu Rural Municipality, Sankhuwasabha, have been marked ‘sensitive’ for the upcoming by-election, according to the local election office.

“These remote areas have had troublesome security records in the previous elections as well. That’s why we marked Makalu as sensitive,” said Cholaraj Dangal, chief at the election office in Sankhuwasabha. “There are 9,100 voters.”

The by-election, which is scheduled for November 30, will be held for the position of Makalu Rural Municipality’s chairperson.

A by-election is also going to be held for the post of ward chairman in Khadbari Municipality Ward No. 3.

Jiban Prasad Dulal, chief district officer, said the local administration plans to arrange security for the by-elections after evaluating threats and challenges.

“We plan to mobilise Nepal Army and Armed Police Force for election security,” said Dulal.

According to the Election Commission, 101 parties are participating in the by-elections. The parties that contested the 2017 elections automatically qualify to participate in the by-elections, while at least 16 new parties or those which came into being following mergers after the 2017 elections are also participating in the by-polls, according to the election office.