The House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5 marks a significant milestone in Nepal’s democratic journey. The interim government—formed amid extraordinary political circumstances following the Gen-Z movement in early September—was mandated to hold elections within six months. That objective now appears firmly on track. Major political forces have already entered the electoral contest and are actively campaigning for their candidates. In many ways, the electoral train has left the station and is steadily moving toward its destination. There is little doubt that the election will be held as scheduled. The immediate priority, therefore, is election security—ensuring safety in the pre-poll period, on election day and through to the official declaration of results. If voters fear for their personal safety while travelling to polling centres, participation will inevitably suffer. Elections must, therefore, be conducted in a fear-free environment. Pre-election violence, social tensions and electoral clashes heighten public security concerns. Such incidents not only create fear and uncertainty among voters but also weaken the overall electoral climate and, ultimately, erode public trust in democracy.
The arson attacks on state institutions—including Singha Durbar, the Supreme Court and the President’s Office—during the second day of the Gen-Z movement on September 8 and 9 exposed serious lapses in state security. Questions were raised about the preparedness and capacity of security agencies to protect key national institutions. At the same time, incidents in which protesters brutally assaulted police personnel on duty had a damaging effect on the morale of the security forces. Against this backdrop, election security has assumed heightened importance for a poll widely seen as critical to Nepal’s democratic future. A robust security apparatus is essential to ensuring a free, fair and credible election. The government has announced plans to deploy all three security agencies under an integrated security framework for the upcoming Falgun election, alongside additional election police support. Close coordination and cooperation among security agencies will be key to the election’s success. The government’s move to strengthen security arrangements based on the sensitivity of polling centres is commendable. Equally important, however, is digital and information security. During elections, misinformation and disinformation circulating on social media and digital platforms can mislead voters and distort the electoral process. Security agencies must be prepared to respond swiftly to such digital threats. In this regard, the Nepal Police’s plan to deploy specialised software and cyber cells to identify and curb the spread of false information must be implemented effectively and rigorously.
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Persistent concerns have also been raised about weapons looted and prisoners who escaped during the Gen-Z movement, which could pose additional challenges to election security. Reports of escaped inmates engaging in organised criminal activity in some areas underline the seriousness of the threat. Addressing these risks requires further strengthening of the security mechanism through enhanced coordination, targeted patrols and the deployment of additional personnel. At the same time, ensuring a safe electoral environment is not the responsibility of the state alone. Political parties, civil society and the general public all have a vital role to play in upholding peace and restraint during the election period. Elections are the foundation of democracy. When security is compromised, not only are democratic outcomes affected, but public confidence in the democratic system itself is placed at risk. Creating a secure environment for this crucial democratic exercise is a shared responsibility of the state and society—and one on which there can be no compromise.
