EC urges security agencies to help conduct polls in free and fair manner

Kathmandu / Feb 24: The Election Commission (EC) has urged security agencies to help conduct the local level elections in aa way to free from any political influences.

In a meeting held on Friday with chiefs of all four security agencies and secretaries of the concerned ministries, the EC has asked the authorities to help hold the polls in a free, fairness, credible and amicable manner.

At the meeting, Chief Election Commissioner Dr Ayodhi Prasad Yadav and commissioner Sudhir Kumar Shah asked security agencies to analyse security sensitivity, identify the place and persons to be given security and focus on security sensitive area and the strengths of security human resource while formulating a security plan.

At the gathering, Home Secretary Lok Darshan Regmi informed that a comprehensive draft security plan would be prepared.

Likewise, Defence Secretary Sridhar Sapkota pledged that Nepal Army would discharge its responsibility in view of the elections.

Earlier, in an interaction with chiefs and representatives of Nepal-based foreign diplomatic and United Nations mission and development partners, Dr Yadav urged the international community for cooperation in successfully concluding the polls.

At the event, participating diplomats inquired about challenges for holding the polls and election monitoring.

On the occasion, EC’s Joint Secretary Nawaraj Dhakal informed about laws and constitutional provisions related to the elections and EC’s preparations for the polls.

The EC also urged the Home Ministry to manage special security and maintain law and order in view of the elections.

The EC also urged the Ministry to ban wielding, demonstration and use of weapons, batons, improvised exclusive devices, poisonous substances, firearms and pistols during the polls.

It also urged the Ministry to ban the production and sales of alcohol and alcoholic beverage during the elections and take action against those trying to disrupt polls. RSS