KATHMANDU, Jan 8: The Nepali Army (NA) is preparing to deploy around 80,000 personnel to ensure security during the House of Representatives elections scheduled for March 5.
NA Spokesperson Brigadier General Rajaram Basnet said the deployment will be carried out in line with the Integrated Security Plan–2025, which has been approved by the government and endorsed by the President. The plan has also received clearance from the National Security Council.
“Following the guidance of the integrated security plan, the Army will begin field deployment one month prior to the election,” Basnet said.
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The Nepali Army will operate in three phases throughout the election period. In the pre-election phase, its key responsibilities will include securing ballot paper printing, safeguarding vital infrastructure, and protecting sensitive installations.
In coordination with Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force (APF), the NA will provide security at critical sites such as airports, prisons, and other strategic facilities. It will also conduct integrated training and simulation exercises related to election security, in collaboration with all four security agencies and district administrations, extending down to the grassroots level. These efforts aim to ensure that the elections are held in a free, fair, impartial, and fear-free environment.
During polling, the Nepali Army will be stationed in the third security ring at polling stations and centers, providing full security assurance to political parties, candidates, voters, and election officials.
As in previous elections, the Army is also preparing to establish security bases at various locations across the country. Following the completion of voting on March 5, it will be responsible for the transportation of ballot boxes and the security of vote-counting centers.
Security coordination meetings are currently underway at the provincial level to assess risks and fine-tune arrangements. Based on recommendations from these meetings, the government will further evaluate the situation and make additional security provisions if required.
The NA has reiterated its readiness, in close coordination with all security agencies, local administrations, and elected representatives, to fulfill the state’s primary responsibility of ensuring robust election security.
