ILLAM, May 7: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has warned of the dangers posed by international borders in order to hold free and fair local elections in the district. The monitoring team of the commission also suggested formulating a security strategy focusing on the international border linked with Ilam district.
NHRC Member Lily Thapa said that the team that came to monitor the situation before the election had given such a suggestion to the district security body. "The commission has alerted the security forces to avoid any possible clashes during the election," she said. "As Ilam is connected to the international border, we have asked the authorities concerned to be aware of such conflicting areas during the election."
Similarly, the commission has also drawn the attention of the security forces to the possible risks posed by the groups who are against the constitution. "Even though the activities of such groups are not seen in the district at present, we have alerted the security forces to be aware due to sporadic incidents in the past," said Thapa.
Likewise, the team has taken special interest in creating an environment where senior citizens, persons with disabilities and other voters can easily reach the polling station. Commission member Thapa said that as the risk of COVID19 in Ilam has not diminished yet, they have suggested the authorities concerned to make arrangements accordingly. "We have also suggested to the Election Commission to make a human rights friendly code of conduct,” she said. "Pre-election monitoring is being carried out to ensure that no one's right to vote is violated."