Sources familiar with the development said election security plan can be finalized only after the political parties represented on the High Level Political Committee (HLPC) arrive at a consensus on either to deploy NA personnel or hire temporary police personnel (Myadi Prahari). The Nepal Police (NP) and the Armed Police Force (APF) are not in a position to ensure security during polls at their existing strength. [break]
The Interim Election Council of Ministers led by Khil Raj Regmi has already announced CA polls for November 19.
In addition, the Election Commission has stood against recruitment of Myadi police for as they were largely found to be political cadres working for the interests of certain political party in the previous CA polls. “We already have prepared tentative security plan for election security. But as the political parties have not taken any decision we have not yet finalized the plan,” said a senior official at the home ministry.
Nepal Police and APF have a total strength of 67,000 and 36,000, respectively. Police officials say only about 60 to 70 percent of the total strength of the organization could be mobilized for election security.
If the number of polling booths remains unchanged, the home ministry would fall short of around 40,000 security personnel for poll security. Nepal Police has proposed recruiting retired security personnel if the political parties and the government decide to confine NA personnel within the barracks.
The government had recruited around 70,000 temporary police personnel during the previous CA election as the Nepal Police then had strength of 54,000 and APF 18,000.
As in the previous election, the home ministry plans to recall around 8,000 Nepal Police and APF personnel, who have currently been deployed for the security of vital installations, for election purpose. NA personnel will be deployed for the security of these vital installations during the polls.
Sources said NA wishes to see its personnel deployed for the perimeter security of election booths. So does the EC and the home ministry. “NA personnel were not mobilized in the previous CA election. But as the army integration has completed, we have proposed that NA personnel be mobilized for election security,” said a government source, asking not to be named. The Nepal Army has a total approved strength of 95,753 personnel.
EC and home ministry officials maintain that the mobilization of NA personnel will not only help avoid additional cost, but will also help ensure effective security during the polls.
Related story
Delay in candidate selection hits parties' poll campaigns
