Nepal: New security measures before elections December 7 /update 2

Event

The second phase of Nepal's general elections will take place on Thursday, December 7, in the capital city of Kathmandu and the southern half of the country.

Security measures remain heightened nationwide in an effort to address any potential threats during the election. Officials report that 250,000 security personnel have been deployed across the country to protect polling stations. Additionally, the government may close India-Nepal border crossing points in the immediate lead-up to the day of the vote. Surprise identity checks have been taking place on people traveling to and from nearby Indian towns on secondary roads off the East-West highway.

Context

Nepal's general election was announced in mid-August 2017, in a bid to conclude a turbulent journey to democracy a decade after a civil war and the abolition of Nepal's 239-year-old monarchy. The election's timing is in line with Nepal's first constitution, drawn up in 2015, which requires a new parliament to be in place before January 21, 2018.

The first phase of the general election took place in the northern half of the country on Sunday, November 26. The vote occurred largely without incident, although some minor incidents were reported. At least four people were injured in clashes with security personnel at polling stations. Additionally, voting was temporarily suspended at one polling station after an explosive device was discovered nearby; two other polling stations temporarily halted voting after the ballot boxes were attacked with acid. As a precaution, all Nepal-India border crossing points were closed for two days prior to and the day of the first phase of the election.

Advice

Individuals present in Nepal during the electoral period are advised to remain vigilant, to avoid all polling stations, party offices, and public gatherings, and to abide by all instructions issued by the authorities.