Ballot boxes to be brought by helicopters from 25 polling centers, around 20,000 security personnel deployed
DHANGADHI, Dec 7: Locals of five districts of Province-7 are eagerly waiting to cast their ballots in Thursday's elections. Election officers have reached their respective constituencies by Monday evening while security personnel were deployed few days earlier. Voting booths have been fixed and all other preparations have been made, informed election officers.
27 polling stations in Rukum marked as highly 'sensitive'
Laxmiram Poudel, area administrator of the farwestern region, informed that as many as 20,000 security personnel have been deployed in Kailali, Kanchanpur, Dadeldhura, Doti and Achham districts. "We have tightened the security in every nook and corner of these districts making sure that the elections will be peaceful and systematic," Poudel said.
As many as 684 polling stations and 1,329 polling centers have been fixed in five districts of Province 7. However, 242 polling stations have been marked as highly sensitive in terms of security. "We are trying our best to avoid any kinds of untoward incidents which may foil or disrupt the polls," Poudel assured.
Preparations are underway to bring ballot boxes in helicopters from the polling centers based in remote areas. Election officers might have to walk for four to five hours or even for a day in some places. So, the EC has planned to charter helicopter for such polling centers of rural areas.
Three-tier security has been arranged for the safety of voters, ballot boxes and election officers. Altogether 11,258 temporary and Nepal Police personnel; 2,533 Armed Police Force and 5,500 Nepal Army personnel have been deployed in the province.
"We urge all the voters to cast their ballots as we vouch for the safety of their lives," Poudel said. A string of bomb attacks targeted at political candidates have compelled the security personnel to heighten the security.
As many as 1,050,733 eligible voters are expected to take part in Thursdays' elections in Province-7.
