This article will focus on whether the people will be able to freely, fairly and fearlessly exercise their democratic right of casting their votes. This time there is a big difference from the last CA election because the government has decided to deploy the Nepal Army (NA) as back up force, for providing security during the elections.
This is not the first time that the NA has been deployed to provide security during elections. Aid to the Civil Power is one of the important lessons taught to all armies in democratic countries. In any country, the civil administration, aided by the civil police, is responsible for maintaining normal law and order. [break]
Republica
If the administration is unable to handle the law and order situation, then under normal circumstances, it’s the job of the police to try and restore the situation. If the situation escalates, the paramilitary force (in our case the APF) will be called in to control the situation. But if both the police and paramilitary force are unable to control the situation, then as graduated response the Army is mobilized as the last option.
The Army is therefore deployed to assist the civil administration in maintaining law and order. The Chief District Officer (CDO) is responsible for the security of the district. All the security forces deployed in the district operate under the CDO’s directives and only he or she can give the permission to open fire. Thus the Army remains under the civilian control even after the deployment.
Previous elections
The President has approved the deployment of the NA for the upcoming CA elections, at the request of the interim government, keeping in mind the outspoken threats by various political parties. There was violence even during Panchayat-era elections.
This writer has the experience of providing security in at least two elections after 1990. Shri Bazra Dal Gulma (Company) was deployed in Jumla during the General Elections in 1991. It was mainly responsible for providing security in two districts of Kalikot and Jumla of the Karnali Zone. One platoon plus (about 50) from the Bazra Dal commanded by a lieutenant was deployed in Kalikot for the elections. Logistic support of the platoon in Kalikot (from Jumla) was not an easy task.
Many countries sent observers to the first General Election. Dr Andrew Nickson of the Birmingham University (UK), accompanied by Dr Bhogendra Sharma, visited Jumla to observe the election. Dr Andrew at that time was also working at the Nepal Administrative Staff College, Jawalakhel.
They were quite surprised to see the soldiers patrolling the countryside with their weapons in alert position. They queried the company commander as to why the soldiers were patrolling so aggressively. He replied, “To maintain the peace”! To which they objected, “But there is already peace in the area.” The company commander calmly replied, “Then you agree that the patrolling has been effective!”
Normally the government appoints the CDOs to the districts and the opposition parties consider CDO as merely the tool of the ruling party. Everyone expected the ruling party candidate to win. But in Jumla, to everyone’s surprise, Nepal Majdoor Kisan Party’s candidate won. The Mashal group had boycotted the elections and were considered to be a big threat but the Army succeeded in keeping the election peaceful.
In 1993, Shri Kali Prasad Gana, Engineers was deployed to open a road track from Katari, in Udaypur, to Okhaldhunga in 1993. By virtue of its location, the Engineer Regiment was given the task of providing security to the 1994 mid-term elections in all the seven election regions of Udaypur (five) and Siraha (two) districts of the Sagarmatha Zone. One month before the elections, Shri Kali Prasad deployed its troops in all seven regions and the troops started to show their presence and getting familiar with the terrain.
Very soon the troops started to win the hearts and minds of the locals by their friendly behavior and helping attitude. Friendly volleyball and football matches were organized with local sports clubs and medical orderlies also started treating local sick people.
The water supply system was improved and the company commanders started to support the local schools in whichever way they could. Repair and maintenance of walls and roofs were carried out and where possible few coats of paint improved the existing rooms.
All five regions of Siraha district were notorious because of the easy access to the international border and the poppy flower they cultivated. The Kamala River on its Western border with Janakpur District was an easy escape route favored by smugglers. The rowdy citizens across the border thrived on election violence. But the soldiers worked hard and made their presence felt in the area. Siraha had a very bad record even during panchayat elections.
The 1994 election went smoothly sans any violence because of the presence of the troops. The people were assured of their safety and they were able to cast their votes without any fear. All the election officials too felt secured and were able to carry out their duties without any hindrances.
Pradeep Giri, who was elected from No 1 region in Siraha, was threatened by rival groups towards the late evening. But the presence of the NA vehicles and the troops around his residence discouraged any would be violence mongers.
There was an inquiry about the outcome of the result of the election by the Infantry Brigade Headquarters, which was responsible for security in the sector, “Which party do you think will win the elections this time?” Back went the prompt reply, “Whichever party garners the maximum votes, is sure to win this time”.
There were some rude comments hurled at the soldiers just before their deployment: “Look at the government stooges,” they would complain, “they are going to make sure that their candidates win.” The results proved that the NA was impartial and neutral.
Last CA elections
Unfortunately in the last CA elections the Army was confined to their barracks. But being under a democratic set up, the Army has to obey the orders of the government of the day. Respecting the spirit of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and the government, the Army wholeheartedly obeyed and stayed inside the barracks.
It was a big irony that the Army which has so successfully implemented peace processes in the other conflict ridden countries had to quietly sit through the peace process in its own country. Again, the Army had to show the way to rest of the world by training and adapting the rebels in its fold. Time and again the NA has exhibited its professionalism for the sake of national interest.
Conclusion
The NA is the national instrument of power and always obeys orders of the civilian government. It is totally apolitical and remains strongly neutral during any elections. It is deployed not only in war but also for the safety and security of the people during elections and to provide relief during natural calamities. The lawmakers should realize that the Army can be deployed only through a set procedure and, it is deployed to prevent violence and not to instigate it.
And there are those who continuously harp about the democratization of the NA. It always obeys its civilian masters and even in the districts they are subservient to the CDOs. The only criterion is that they must exhibit selfless character and always put national interest first. They must give priority to the safety and the security of the people, and the NA will obey their orders to the last T.
Those Captains and Majors of 1991 elections are Colonels and Brigadiers now. And the young officers, who commanded platoons then, have bloomed into mature and capable Lieutenant Colonels, commanding their own Regiments. They are now tasked with providing security in the upcoming CA elections. They are confident, capable and know what is expected of them. The NA is deployed to prevent violence so that the people can peacefully cast their votes freely and safely. All the best, boys!
The author is retired Brigadier General of Nepal Army
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