Government seriously addressing election-related security concerns: Home Minister

Morang, Dec 31: Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal has said that all weapons looted and those that went missing during the September 8–9 Gen Z movement will be retrieved, as well as prisoners who escaped during the same period will be detained before March 5, 2026, the announced date for elections to the House of Representatives (HoR).

Addressing today a Koshi Province-level security committee meeting jointly organized by the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Koshi Province Ministry for Internal Affairs and Law, the Minister said that most of the absconding prisoners are already in contact with authorities, while the remaining will be brought under control soon through a special security campaign.

He said the government is seriously addressing the election-related security concerns raised by political parties, particularly regarding looted weapons and fugitives, adding that the security meeting is part of broader efforts to ensure the elections are held in a free, fair, and peaceful environment.

The Home Minister further stated that mechanisms have been developed to ensure the active involvement of provincial security agencies before, during, and after the election.

“Elections are a fundamental practice of democracy,” he said, adding that they empower citizens, mainstream their strength and legitimize governance. “Good governance cannot be established without elections. If we aspire to good governance, there is no alternative to elections.”

He added that the incumbent government, formed with a mandate to conduct elections and hand over the leadership to an elected government, is fully focused on holding the polls on the announced date in a neutral and impartial atmosphere.

On the occasion, Koshi Province Chief Minister Hikmat Kumar Karki urged the non-party government to ensure a neutral conduct of the elections, adding that the election environment has yet to be fully established and must be guaranteed within the remaining two months.

He also called on the federal government to equip security forces with the necessary resources in view of the upcoming elections.

Senior officers of the Nepal Army, the chiefs of Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force, the chief investigation director of the National Investigation Department, and security chiefs from all 14 districts of Koshi Province attended the meeting. (RSS)