Nepal-India Border Tightens Security Ahead of Federal Parliament Elections; Vote Counting Centers Secured

Rupandehi. Security arrangements have been tightened at the Nepal-India border crossings to ensure the House of Representatives election scheduled for Thursday is conducted in a peaceful, impartial, and fear-free environment.

An informal border coordination meeting was held between officials from both countries' border areas for security at the crossings. Madhav Prasad Pokharel, Chief District Officer (CDO) of Rupandehi, informed that an informal border coordination meeting was held with his counterpart in Maharajganj district of Uttar Pradesh, India, regarding the House of Representatives Election 2082, followed by monitoring of the border area and subsequent tightening of security.

Participating from Nepal in the informal discussion and border area monitoring between the officials of both countries were CDO Pokharel, Police Chief and Superintendent of Police (SP) Janak Bahadur Shahi of the District Police Office Rupandehi, Armed Police Force SP Navaraj Bohara, and National Investigation Director Prakash Acharya. Representing India were Maharajganj District Magistrate (DM) Santosh Kumar Sharma and Indian Police SP Somendra Meena.

CDO Pokharel informed that discussions were held between both sides regarding the closure of border crossings during the election period and its effective implementation. He stated that the Indian side also showed interest in assisting in conducting the election peacefully and impartially.

In view of the elections, all border crossings in Rupandehi connected to India have been closed for 72 hours starting from 12:00 AM on Monday, Falgun 18. The administration announced that all border crossings will remain closed until the voting process for the election day is completed.

According to CDO Pokharel, all border crossings in Rupandehi, including the main Belahiya crossing used by cargo vehicles and tourist vehicles, and the Lumbini-Kakrahawa crossing used by smaller vehicles, have been closed. Locals report that the border areas have become deserted after the checkpoints were closed and tightened. All the crossings in Rupandehi, which usually see thousands of travelers and hundreds of vehicles passing through daily, are now deserted, locals say.

CDO Pokharel informed that during the border closure period, the movement and transportation of goods are prohibited, except for gas tankers and vehicles carrying petroleum products, ambulances, and third-country tourists visiting Nepal.

Wire Fencing at Vote Counting Centers

All vote counting centers in Rupandehi have been enclosed with wire fencing to secure the counting locations. To secure the vote counting sites for the House of Representatives election, counting centers in all five constituencies of Rupandehi have been surrounded by 10-foot-high wire fencing.

According to Rupandehi's Chief Election Officer Ashok Kumar Basnet, the counting process is being organized by considering security challenges. The designated counting centers are: Devdaha Adarsha Multiple Campus, Sittal Nagar in Constituency No. 1; Office of Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City-11, Devinagar in Constituency No. 2; Bhairahawa Model Secondary School in Bhairahawa, Constituency No. 3; Meeting Hall of Kotahimai Rural Municipality Office in Constituency No. 4; and the office of Gaidahawa Rural Municipality in Constituency No. 5.

Chief Election Officer Basnet added that lights capable of charging have been installed in front of the wire fencing to ensure a smooth electricity supply. CCTV cameras have also been installed within the counting premises.

Chief Election Officer Basnet informed that during the vote counting, only employees and security personnel assigned to the counting process will be allowed inside the wire fencing, while representatives of candidates and other stakeholders will be allowed to observe from outside the fencing.