The Nepali government on Thursday unveiled a special security mechanism for the upcoming Constituent Assembly (CA) elections slated for April 10.
The special security mechanism will be in three phases, said Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula during a program at the Parliamentary Special Committee on Election Management and Monitoring.
Sitaula said the first phase will start on Jan. 29 and end on Feb. 19, just ahead of the last date for registration of candidature, while the second phase, with stronger security arrangement, will be implemented from Feb. 20 to April 9, the eve of the elections.
The third phase of the security mechanism will start on the dayof the elections on April 10 and end with the victory rallies.
Under the special security mechanism, the government is to deploy some 69,700 temporary security personnel, in addition to 40,000 regular police and 22,000 Armed Police Force (APF) personnel, for strengthening security during the elections.
Sitaula said temporary security personnel will be hired on contract basis for one month starting 15 days ahead of the CA polls.
He also ruled out plans to appoint cadres of any political parties including, the Young Communist League (YCL), the youth wing of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) (CPN-M) as the temporary security personnel.
"They will be hired under free competition but priority will be given to the former army or police personnel," said Sitaula.
The temporary security personnel under one month's contract will be receiving the same remuneration at par with counterparts from the regular police forces.
Sitaula said at least six security personnel, including three police and three temporary police, and 28 security personnel including seven police and 21 temporary police at the most, would be deputed in each polling booth.
"Two mobile teams consisting of 50 to 75 police personnel would also be mobilized for each electoral constituency," he added.
While the mobile team of security personnel would consist of 75 personnel in the case of the Terai district headquarters, 50 police personnel would be deployed in the case of other constituencies outside the headquarters.
Six helicopters would be on standby in each development region, (two in Kathmandu) for security purpose, according to Sitaula.
Answering queries raised by lawmakers on election atmosphere, Sitaula said the government is working out an uncompromising security strategy to hold CA elections and will bulldoze those intending to disrupt the polls.
Regardless of the threats and challenges ahead, Sitaula said the government would hold the CA elections on the stipulated date.
"We will not compromise. The government will leave no stone unturned to hold free, fair and timely election this time," he added.
Source: Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article