Armed police force to set up security bases in all constituencies ahead of elections

Kathmandu: The Armed Police Force is set to establish a security base in every constituency to ensure that the House of Representatives elections scheduled for Falgun 21 are conducted in a free, fair, error-free and fear-free manner. The Armed Police Force will be deployed in the second security circle, with 31,000 personnel mobilized under the integrated security plan approved by the Central Security Committee.

As per the plan, the process of establishing constituency-level election security bases has begun in all 165 constituencies. The integrated security plan states that these constituency security bases will be established one month prior to the election.

Under the plan, security bases are being set up at 17 locations in the Himalayan region, 70 in the hills and 78 in the Tarai. The Armed Police Force has informed that the bases will be established on Magh 21.

The plan also provides for the mobilization of striking forces in Tarai districts, with four striking forces to be deployed in each constituency. In the hill constituencies, three striking forces will be mobilized per constituency, while one striking force will be deployed in each Himalayan constituency. Striking and mobile teams will be deployed with vehicles from 15 days before the election.

To ensure effective election security, a training plan has been implemented for all ranks of Armed Police Force personnel deployed in the elections. In line with this, a central election cell has been formed under the leadership of a Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP). The election cell is being commanded by Rajesh Upreti, SSP of the Department of Works. The integrated security plan also mentions the formation of ‘Bahini Election Cells’ and ‘Gana, Gulma’ election cells across all seven provinces.

In addition to mobile, striking and reserve forces, the Armed Police Force will also be deployed to ensure the security of the District Election Offices, as well as the offices of the Chief Election Officer and Election Officers.