The Election Commission (EC) of Nepal has directed the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) to improve security measures for the upcoming bye-elections, more specifically in the constituency of Biratnagar. This happened at a time when the city was expected to set the political event but was eagerly waiting for the new Nepal Premier League cricket tournament. The EC’s decision is well appreciated because the safety and fairness of the electoral process have to be adhered to regardless of the joyous spirit pervading the region.
During the official letter sent to the MoHA, the EC stressed the necessity of broad measures of safety taken to protect the democratic election. The Biratnagar by-election held due to lack of a local government post is proving to be a barometer of the current political atmosphere in the nation. The particular issue which authorities now face is that the NPL cricket tournament takes place simultaneously with election preparations.
Local police departments in Biratnagar have been ordered to come up with proper contingency plan in case of any security danger. This comes in the form of policing of voters during voting, greater scrutiny of sensitive areas and the put up of teams to combat emergencies in voting stations. The EC has also demanded that the code of conduct for political parties and candidates should be implemented to the letter to avoid voters being coerced.
This is because the by-election time has been in the middle of the implementation of the NPL, which complicates matters for city officials. Despite the booster impact of the cricket tournament on business activities and tourism in Biratnagar, the election organizers face certain logistical constraints. Government officials are in the process of making the necessary assurances to avoid these cricket fans interfering with the electoral processes or even causing insecurity among polling stations.
All the political parties that participated in the by-election were informed on increased security measures within the election period and their roles in ensuring that there is no violence. For its part, the EC has threatened to deal severely with anyone, be it an individual or a group of people, who shall be found to be disruptive to the electoral process or advocating for mere violence. This has forced the candidates to embrace issue-oriented campaigns and express an understanding of other citizens’ rights in the democracies.
October 14th, political parties and civil society organizations in Biratnagar appreciated the EC for taking the initiative on election security. Several have offered themselves to conduct civic education for voters and also as poll watchers on the actual voting day. These efforts envisage increasing the transparency level and development of voters’ trust in the electoral process, especially in a by-election that can stimulate dramatic changes depending on the results.
The MoHA has reacted to this through deployment of more security officers that have been sent to Biratnagar as directed by the EC. Specific election security task forces are dispatched to act in cooperation with the local police. The ministry has also threatened to set up a command post to oversee any event that may happen during the polling period this is in real sense.
The people of Biratnagar are all set to vote, but the feel is more festive because cricket is on. Local bureaucrats promote outside participation and the enjoyment of sporting events because they are both essential features of city life. Local media have been conducting publicity to urge people to exercise their rights by voting, even as the city jubilates over the entry of the city’s cricket team into the NPL.
This year’s by-election, combined with the first match of the NPL, has placed Biratnagar in the center of the limelight, with everyone waiting to see how the city would handle such a scenario. Overall, these two events could be examples for other municipalities in comparable situations for the future. As the day for the elections draws near the residents of Biratnagar are willing to show their support for the democratic process as well as be true sportsmen and women represented by the NPL.
