Apr 25, Kathmandu- In the by-elections to be held in Ilam and Bajhang on Saturday, the police will deploy 1,024 manpower.

Bye-elections for the House of Representatives in Ilam-2 and the Provincial Assembly members in Bajhang-1 are about to be held. Central Police Spokesperson Bhim Prasad Dhakal said that polling centers have been classified into three categories as normal, sensitive, and highly sensitive. According to police spokesperson Dhakal, 71 polling stations in Ilam are normal, 41 sensitive and 37 highly sensitive. Dhakal said that according to the sensitivity, 1,363 manpower will be mobilized in those centers.

Police will use force if violent, destructive and unwanted activities are received in the polling station or if the ballot boxes or ballot papers are damaged due to fighting and beating between different parties. President Ram Chandra Paudel has permitted to deploy the army in the by-elections only on Thursday. Police spokesperson Dhakal said that the election will be conducted in a peaceful environment with the cooperation of all security agencies. He said that even if more manpower is needed, they will be in a state of readiness. He said that the police are fully prepared to quell the activities of anti-election parties and groups, activities of ethnic, religious, communal and regionalization, spreading rumours, intimidation and disruption during the election.

He also said that the police will use force if violent, destructive and unwanted activities are received in the polling station or if there is a fight and beating between different parties and the ballot boxes or ballot papers are damaged. Dhakal said that the police will use force even if they obstruct the voters or try to obstruct them at the polling place or center.