Nepal-India border posts linked to Uttarakhand closed ahead of panchayat elections

Dhangadhi: In preparation for the upcoming Panchayat elections in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, all border posts connecting Nepal’s Darchula and Baitadi districts with India have been closed for 72 hours.

According to the District Administration Office, the border closure began this morning and will remain in effect until the election process concludes on July 24. The elections for Gram Panchayat, Kshetra Panchayat, and District Panchayat in Uttarakhand are scheduled in two phases on July 24 and 25.

Chief District Officer of Darchula, Anil Poudel, stated that the decision to close the border posts was made in coordination with local administrations on both sides, prioritizing election security.

Border points in Darchula such as Lali, Baku, Jauljibi, Dattu, Khalanga Pulghat, Badugaun, Tigram, Malghatte, Malghat, and Sitapul have been shut. Similarly, all border posts in Baitadi were closed starting July 4 and will remain closed until July 7, the district administration confirmed.