‘Marshal Team’ deployed in Sudurpaschim to ensure election security

Dhangadhi: In preparation for the upcoming elections, a joint ‘Marshal Team’ comprising the Nepal Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, and National Investigation Department has been mobilized in Sudurpaschim Province to strengthen election security.

The Marshal Team will coordinate with provincial and local governments, as well as provincial and district election security committees. According to the Sudurpaschim Province Security Plan, the presence of the Nepal Army and Armed Police Force will be increased at highly sensitive polling stations under the guidance of the Marshal Team leadership.

The team will monitor the implementation of the election security action plan and oversee activities that could negatively affect the security of the elections. The Nepal Army has already been deployed in the field since Magh 21, while the Nepal Police and Armed Police Force will begin their election security deployment next week. National Investigation Department personnel have also been deployed to monitor activities that violate the code of conduct issued by the Election Commission.

Preparations are underway to provide basic security training to election police recruited to support the Nepal Police and Armed Police Force, who will be mobilized next week. The Nepal Police has established election cells at headquarters, provincial, and district levels, while the Ministry of Home Affairs and provincial and district security committees have coordinated the mobilization of security personnel as required.

The Nepal Army, Armed Police Force, and National Investigation Department have implemented security mechanisms across the province. Permanent mechanisms have been set up in all 77 district headquarters, with temporary election bases in each constituency. Election security will also be reinforced at 753 local levels through patrolling and risk-based long, medium, and short-distance monitoring.

Joint Secretary Krishna Kumar Karki, Chief of the Law Division at the Ministry of Home Affairs, has been assigned to oversee overall security in Sudurpaschim Province. He will regularly report to the central authorities on the implementation of the ‘Election Integrated Security Action Plan,’ risk assessments, and district-level situations. Joint Secretary Karki will be present at the center and, when necessary, in the province to manage election security command.