Nepalese Army to Mobilize 80,000 Personnel for Upcoming Elections

Kathmandu - The Nepalese Army is preparing to mobilize 80,000 personnel for the upcoming House of Representatives elections scheduled for March 5.

Brigadier General and Spokesperson of the Nepalese Army, Rajaram Basnet, informed that the Integrated Security Plan 2082 has been approved and sanctioned by the President, and forces will be deployed accordingly.

He stated, “In accordance with the guidelines of the Integrated Security Plan, the army will be deployed in the field one month prior to the election.”

The Integrated Security Plan has been approved by the government and the mobilization of the army has also been sanctioned by the National Security Council. 

The army will operate in three phases during the election process. Prior to the election, its main responsibilities will include securing ballot paper printing and protecting critical infrastructure.

In coordination and cooperation with the Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force Nepal, the Nepalese Army will take responsibility for the security of airports, prisons, and other vital structures.

During the election process, the army will conduct integrated training and exercises related to the election at the grassroots level in coordination, support, and collaboration with all four security agencies and district administrations. These trainings and exercises will be conducted to facilitate a clean, free, fair, and fearless environment for the election.

During the voting period, the Nepalese Army will remain in the third perimeter at polling stations and centers to provide full security guarantees to political parties, candidates, voters, and election staff.

As in the past, the army is preparing to establish security bases in various parts of the country targeting the upcoming election. Following the completion of voting on March 5, the army will handle responsibilities ranging from the transportation of ballot boxes to the security of counting centers.

Security seminars are currently being conducted at the provincial level to ensure the election is held in a fearless environment on the specified date. Based on the suggestions received during these seminars, the government will make additional security arrangements after evaluating and analyzing the situation.

The army stated that they are ready to provide election security, which is a primary duty of the state, through coordination and cooperation among all security forces, local administrations, and people's representatives.