BIRATNAGAR, Feb 27: Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal has clarified that the Nepali Army will not be involved in transporting ballot boxes in the upcoming elections.
Speaking to journalists in Biratnagar on Friday, Minister Aryal said that rumors suggesting army participation in ballot box transportation are false. He explained that, according to the integrated election security strategy, the army will continue to perform its traditional role in the “third layer” of election security.
Photo feature: Choppers secure ballot boxes
“Do not follow market rumors,” he said. “The role of the Nepali Army will be as defined by the integrated election security strategy; transporting ballot boxes is not the army’s responsibility.”
Regarding the election environment, Minister Aryal said the government is fully prepared to conduct elections in a clean, fair, and fear-free environment. He added that questions about whether elections will take place are now irrelevant, as the election has been confirmed.
Minister Aryal, who visited Biratnagar to review security in Koshi Province, held meetings with provincial security chiefs and received briefings on overall security challenges and preparedness in the province.
