Government Implements Tiered Security Plan for Upcoming Elections Based on Polling Station Sensitivity

Kathmandu. The government has implemented an integrated security plan by classifying polling stations across the country based on security sensitivity to ensure the upcoming elections are conducted in a clean, fair, and fear-free environment. According to Election Commission Secretary Krishna Bahadur Raut, this plan, prepared in coordination with the Ministry of Home Affairs, aims to make security arrangements stricter and more effective.

A total of 10,967 polling stations across the country have been divided into three tiers based on security challenges. Analyzing past elections and assessing the current situation, 3,680 stations have been listed as 'highly sensitive.' Similarly, 4,442 polling stations are categorized as 'sensitive,' and 2,845 stations fall under the 'normal' category. Secretary Raut clarified that this classification is purely for systematically deploying security personnel and arranging necessary security measures.

A three-layer security mechanism will be deployed for election security this time as well. According to the plan, the Nepal Police will be deployed in the innermost or 'core' layer of the polling station. The responsibility for the second, middle layer has been given to the Armed Police Force, while the Nepali Army will guard the outermost layer.

The Commission stated that security agencies have completed their preparations regarding how many personnel will be deployed in which location based on security sensitivity. The Commission is confident that an environment conducive to voting without fear will be created as all state security organs will be mobilized in an integrated manner to make the elections dignified and fear-free.