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Security fully arranged; voters can cast votes without any fear: Defense Minister



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KATHMANDU, Nov 25: Defense Minister Bhimsen Das Pradhan has requested all the voters to cast their votes fearlessly and in confidence as the government has fully arranged necessary security measures in view of Sunday’s parliamentary and province assembly election. The first phase of elections is being conducted in 37 constituencies in 32 districts tomorrow. The second phase polls in the remaining districts are scheduled for December 7.

Speaking at a face-to-face interaction program organized by the Reporters’ Club Nepal on Saturday, Minister Pradhan condemned the series of attacks targeting the election candidates and their poll campaigns and added, “The government, in a meeting with the security officials, reviewed the overall security situation for the polls being conducted tomorrow.  The security bodies have been suggested to establish effective coordination among them in order to prevent any activities aimed to foil election environment.”

“The government is fully committed in making the election atmosphere peaceful. Of the total 95 thousand Nepal Army personnel, 64 thousands will be deployed for the elections. Of which, 28, 846 Nepal Army personnel will be mobilized in the first phase of election being held tomorrow. Likewise, 90 percent (of total) police personnel will also be deployed in the elections,” added Pradhan, who is also a Nepali Congress candidate for Kathmandu constituency-6.

“All the security agencies have been directed to remain alert 24/7 to any untoward threats targeting to foil election,” he furthered.

“The Nepal Army will continuously monitor the voting centers using helicopters. Bomb disposal units will also be ready,” he continued.

Pradhan further added, “Netra Bikram Chand-led Communist Party of Nepal has been found involved in various anti-election activities. But the situation is now well under control. The security bodies have been taking all the possible measures to ensure the voters’, candidates’ and election officers’ safety.”

“Therefore, I appeal all the voters to cast their votes in tomorrow’s elections without any fear and in confidence.”

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