29 highly sensitive polling stations identified for Chitwan's April 23 by-election, security measures in place

KATHMANDU, April 9: In preparation for the upcoming House of Representatives by-election on April 23, 29 out of 43 polling stations in the Chitwan electoral constituency have been assessed as "highly sensitive." According to Chitwan Chief District Officer Surendra Poudel, polling stations in the district have been categorized as normal, sensitive, or highly sensitive, although all stations are equally significant in terms of security.

The government will make a decision about the mobilization of the Nepali Army during the election, and the Chitwan District Administration is currently working on an election security plan with the mobilization of Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, and the National Investigation Department. Security arrangements will be made to ensure that citizens and voters feel safe during the election.

The security force is expected to reach all polling stations by April 20. There are 124,695 voters in Chitwan-2 for the by-elections, and the voting will take place in 138 polling centers under 43 polling stations. The by-election was called after the Supreme Court decided to annul the House of Representatives membership of Rabi Lamichhane, the Chair of Rastriya Swatantra Party who was elected in this constituency in the November 2020 election over his citizenship issue.

A total of 22 candidates, including Jeet Narayan Shrestha of the Nepali Congress (ruling alliance), CPN (UML)'s Ram Prasad Neupane, and RSP Chair Lamichhane, will be competing for the House of Representatives seat. The by-polls are of concern to political parties, civil society, people, and the security mechanism.