Kathmandu, December 8
The Nepal Army is preparing to deploy around 80,000 personnel for the upcoming House of Representatives election scheduled for Falgun 21.
Nepal Army Assistant Chief of Staff and spokesperson Rajaram Basnet said that troop deployment will be carried out in line with the Integrated Security Plan 2082, which has already been approved by the government and endorsed by the President.
He said the army will be mobilised in the field one month prior to the election, as guided by the integrated security plan.
The Integrated Security Plan has been approved by the government, and the National Security Council has also endorsed the army’s mobilisation. The army will operate in three phases during the election period. In the pre-election phase, its key responsibilities will include securing ballot paper printing and protecting vital infrastructure.
In coordination and cooperation with Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force Nepal, the Nepal Army will also be responsible for the security of key installations such as airports and prisons.
As part of the election preparations, the army will conduct integrated training and drills related to the election down to the local level, in coordination with all four security agencies and district administrations. These exercises aim to help ensure that the election is conducted in a free, fair, impartial, and fear-free environment.
On polling day, the Nepal Army will remain in the third security ring at polling stations and centres, providing full security assurance to political parties, candidates, voters, and election personnel.
As in previous elections, the army is preparing to establish security bases at various locations across the country. After voting concludes on Falgun 21, the army will take responsibility for transporting ballot boxes and securing vote-counting centres.
Security meetings are currently being held at the provincial level to ensure the election is conducted in a safe and fear-free environment. Based on the suggestions received in these meetings, the government will further assess and analyse the situation and make additional security arrangements as needed.
The Nepal Army has stated that all security forces, local administrations, and people’s representatives are ready to work in coordination and cooperation to provide election security, which it described as a primary responsibility of the state.
