Nepali Army to Deploy 80,000 Personnel for Upcoming HoR Election

The Nepali Army is preparing to deploy around 80,000 personnel for the House of Representatives election scheduled to be held on Falgun 21.

Nepali Army Assistant Rathi 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 stated that the army will be mobilized in the field starting one month prior to the election, as guided by the integrated security plan. The plan has also been approved by the National Security Council regarding the mobilization of the army.

The Nepali Army will operate in three phases during the election period. In the pre-election phase, its main responsibilities will include providing security for ballot paper printing and protecting key installations.

In coordination and cooperation with Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force Nepal, the army will ensure security at airports, prisons, and other vital infrastructure.

As part of the election process, the Nepali Army will conduct integrated training and exercises related to election security down to the local level in coordination with all four security agencies and district administrations. These activities aim to help ensure that the election is conducted in a free, fair, impartial, and fear-free environment.

During polling, the Nepali Army will remain in the third security layer at polling stations and centers, providing full security assurance to political parties, candidates, voters, and election personnel.

As in previous elections, the army is also preparing to establish security bases at various locations across the country. After voting concludes on Falgun 21, the army will be responsible for the transportation of ballot boxes and security at vote-counting centers.

To ensure the election is held in a peaceful environment on the scheduled date, security coordination meetings are currently being conducted at the provincial level. Based on the suggestions received from these meetings, the government will further assess and analyze the situation and make additional security arrangements if necessary.

The Nepali Army stated that it is fully prepared, in coordination with all security agencies, local administrations, and elected representatives, to provide election security as a top national priority.