Security Forces Launch Joint Patrols in Darchula Ahead of Federal Elections

Darchula. In view of the upcoming House of Representatives elections scheduled for February 21, the three security agencies in Darchula have initiated joint patrols. The joint security patrol has been launched in the district, keeping in mind the House of Representatives election to be held on February 21.

The district has 112 polling stations and 143 polling centers. Chief District Officer Anil Poudel informed that the joint security patrol has been started for monitoring these locations and guaranteeing security for the citizens there.

According to him, the joint patrol involving the Nepali Army, Armed Police Force, and Nepal Police has been mobilized to conduct the election in a clean, fair, and fear-free environment. He stated that security personnel are regularly checking every location, collecting licensed weapons, monitoring markets to control illegal liquor, seizing and destroying illegal liquor, and regularly monitoring polling stations.

Stating that the security situation across the district is being continuously assessed and inspected, CDO Poudel informed that the Chief Secretary of the Sudurpashchim Province, Baikuntha Prasad Aryal, visited Darchula to coordinate necessary arrangements and provide directives regarding the election preparations.

He mentioned that discussions were held with representatives of concerned bodies on how to conduct the election in a peaceful environment after the locals of Nagu in Naulgad Rural Municipality-1 announced a 'No Vote'. "Locals in Nagu are not yet ready to vote," he said, "but the locals in Byas Rural Municipality-2 are ready to vote."

856 employees have been deployed in Darchula for the election. The Office of the Chief Election Officer has published the final list of employees to be deployed for the election in the district.

According to Assistant Election Officer Vishnu Awasthi, up to six employees have been deployed at one polling center. He informed that three employees each have been assigned to two temporary polling centers.

District Election Officer Pradip Singh Dhami informed that preparations are underway to send the deployed employees to the polling centers after providing them training on February 13 and 14 for the election.

According to him, the training for the Election Officer and Assistant Election Officer will be organized in the first phase for 10 polling centers in Apihimal Rural Municipality, 13 in Byas Rural Municipality, 17 in Marma Rural Municipality, 17 in Lekam Rural Municipality, and 14 in Naulgad Rural Municipality, as well as temporary polling centers.

He informed that in the second phase, training for the Election Officer and Assistant Election Officer will be organized for 20 polling centers in Mahakali Municipality, 23 in Shailyashikhar Municipality, 18 in Malikarjun Rural Municipality, and 11 in Duhun Rural Municipality.

Darchula, which has one constituency for the House of Representatives, has 112 polling stations and 143 polling centers designated. The district has 45,193 female voters and 47,755 male voters.