Recent Parliamentary Election Deemed Significantly More Peaceful and Organized Than Previous Polls

Bhairahawa. The recently concluded House of Representatives election was held in a remarkably peaceful and organized environment. The election held on Falgun 21, 2082, was more peaceful and organized compared to the House of Representatives and Provincial Assembly elections held in 2079 BS.

It is analyzed that this year's election was conducted in a relatively safe, organized, and fear-free environment due to effective security strategies, active deployment of security personnel, and coordination among security agencies throughout the election period.

The Nepal Police implemented a multi-dimensional security plan to ensure the election was conducted peacefully. Security agencies stated that voters were able to cast their ballots with confidence due to special security arrangements made at polling stations and centers. The police organization believes it played a significant role in conducting the election in a fair, fear-free, and secure environment by maximizing the use of limited resources.

Inspector General of Police Dan Bahadur Karki stated that security personnel were deployed with clear responsibilities and security management was ensured by keeping police units across the country on high alert. He mentioned that the security strategy was successful and claimed this election was more peaceful and organized compared to the past.

The Nepal Police Headquarters adopted five main strategies for election security. According to Inspector General Karki, the first was the preparation of a robust security plan based on security risk assessment. The second was strengthening security management by effectively mobilizing limited resources.

The third involved special initiatives within the organization to boost police morale, which had somewhat declined due to recent protests. The fourth was maintaining effective coordination with other agencies, political parties, administration, and stakeholders. And the fifth was strengthening continuous monitoring and regulation throughout the election period.

The Police Headquarters' Information Branch stated that during monitoring, Inspector General Karki himself conducted on-site inspections, supervision, and 'briefing' programs at police units in various provinces and districts.

This time, the Nepal Police also gave special priority to the use of 'digital' technology in the election. To control misleading information and 'fake news' that could spread through social media, social media monitoring teams were formed in every district. The Nepal Police Headquarters reported that these teams monitored misleading content broadcasted online and took necessary action, including removing the content.

Similarly, 'drone cameras,' high-capacity cameras, and digital technology were used in investigations to monitor sensitive areas. The organizational command structure was streamlined according to the security situation, with security commands established under the leadership of Additional Inspector General of Police at the provincial level, while Senior Police Officers and Senior Police Officers were deployed at the district level.

Coordination among various security agencies was also made effective in terms of security management. The police reported collaboration with the Nepali Army, Armed Police Force Nepal, and the National Investigation Department for joint security surveillance, risk assessment, and resolution of potential disputes.

During the 2079 BS elections, clashes occurred between political party cadres and supporters in various districts of the country. Eight people died in clashes in Bajura, Rukum, and Kalikot, while more than two dozen people were injured in Ilam, Sarlahi, Dolakha, Dang, Nawalparasi West, Humla, Dhading, Lalitpur, Tanahun, Myagdi, Khotang, and Bhojpur. There were also attempts to plant explosive devices and incidents of voting obstruction in various places.

However, such serious incidents were not seen in the 2082 BS election. Security experts state that major clashes or violent incidents were prevented because systematic and tight security arrangements were made at the polling centers.

Although minor tensions arose in some places, security personnel immediately brought the situation under control and normalized it.

According to constitutional expert and lawyer Surya Adhikari, effective security management was the main reason for the peaceful election. He stated that the election was completed smoothly due to effective coordination between state security agencies, election management, and the administration.

Similarly, security analyst and Tribhuvan University Associate Professor Umesh Chandra Rijal stated that risk mitigation was successful because security strategies were revised based on past experiences.

Human rights activist Laxmi KC stated that no major accident or violent incident occurred because security personnel performed their duties with high responsibility throughout the election period. According to her, this sent a positive message to Nepal's democratic practice.

According to Nepal Police Central Spokesperson Deputy Inspector General of Police Abi Narayan Kafle, security plans were prepared by classifying polling centers across the country as sensitive, highly sensitive, and normal even before the election began. He stated that potential risks were successfully controlled due to joint deployment and coordination with various security agencies.

From the perspective of human loss, the security agencies concluded that the 2082 BS election appeared significantly more peaceful compared to 2079 BS. Incidents seen in the past, such as clashes, attempts to plant explosives, and voting obstruction, were not repeated this time.

Overall, the 2082 BS House of Representatives election has been successfully established as a peaceful and organized election in Nepal's democratic practice due to the cooperation and responsible roles played by the Election Commission, security agencies, administration, political parties, and voters.

It has been determined that the Nepal Police made a significant contribution to conducting the election in a secure environment due to disciplined mobilization, effective security strategy, and leadership role. Improvements in the organization's professional capacity, technology-friendly working style, and organizational coordination have been observed since Inspector General Karki took charge.

Security experts also view the proactiveness and effective management shown by the police organization, which worked as the first line of security in this election, as an example of leadership success.