Armed Police Force to Be Deployed for Security in Upcoming House of Representatives Election

Kathmandu. The Armed Police Force (APF) will be deployed in the second ring of security for the House of Representatives election scheduled for Falgun 21. A total of 31,000 APF personnel will be mobilized for the election according to the integrated security plan approved by the Central Security Committee.

To ensure the election is flawless, impartial, and free from fear, the APF is establishing bases in every constituency. As per the integrated security plan, the APF has initiated the process of establishing Constituency Security Bases in 165 areas. The integrated security plan states, 'Establish Constituency Security Bases starting one month before the election.'

According to the security plan, bases will be established in 17 locations in the mountains, 70 locations in the hills, and 78 locations in the Terai region. A high-ranking APF official told Ratopati that the bases will be established on Magh 21.

Striking forces of the APF will be deployed in the districts of the Terai. The integrated security plan mentions that 4 striking forces will be deployed per constituency in the Terai districts.

As per the security plan, 3 striking forces will be deployed per constituency in the hills and one in the mountains. The striking and mobile teams will be deployed with vehicles starting 15 days before the election.

The security plan includes providing orientation training to all ranks of the APF personnel assigned to election security. The security plan states, 'Prepare a curriculum for orientation training and provide orientation training to all ranks before deployment for the election.'

According to the security plan, the APF has formed a Central Election Cell under the leadership of an SSP. SSP Rajesh Upreti of the Command and Operations Department is leading the Election Cell. The integrated security plan also mentions that 'Battalion Election Cells' and Battalion, Company level election cells will be formed in the seven provincial battalions.

The APF will deploy mobile, striking, and reserve forces along with logistical supplies for the security of the District Election Offices and the offices of the Chief Election Officer and Election Officer.

The security plan approved includes keeping the force of Number-19 Special Task Force Battalion stationed at Halkhori on standby at Number-20 Disaster Rescue Valley in Sinamangal on the day of the election. A high-ranking APF official says, 'A decision has been made to keep the force of two battalions on standby at the Disaster Rescue Battalion so that they can be airlifted immediately.'