Khotang reopens applications for election police recruitment

BY OUR CORRESPONDENTS,Khotang/Humla, Jan. 25: District police offices in Khotang and Humla have taken different steps in the recruitment process of election police for the upcoming House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5, reflecting contrasting application trends in the two districts.

In Khotang, authorities have reissued a call for applications after receiving fewer candidates than required. The district needs 1,282 election police personnel, but only 1,173 applications were received during the initial recruitment process. Among the applicants, some did not appear for the examinations, while others failed the written test. According to Election Cell Chief and Police Inspector at the Khotang District Police Office, Raju Bista, only 1,039 candidates passed the written examination, the results of which were published on Friday.

Inspector Bista said the shortfall prompted the decision to reopen applications. The initial application period was from January 9 to 15 and was later extended until January 17. However, the required number was still not met. Eligible candidates were called to submit applications on Saturday and Sunday at the Khotang District Police Office and area police offices in Halesi, Aiselukharka, Khotang Bazaar, and Chisapani. The final selection results for Khotang are scheduled to be published by January 26.

In contrast, Humla district witnessed a high number of applicants for the election police recruitment. The District Police Office has published the results of the written examination held on January 22. According to Police Inspector Bishnu Shrestha, a total of 1,216 candidates applied, nearly double the required number, and 834 candidates passed the written examination.

Humla requires 595 election police personnel for the election, including 549 from Nepal Police and 46 from the Armed Police Force. Candidates who passed the written test will now face interviews starting on Saturday. The final results will be published on January 26, followed by practical training from January 29 to February 8. The recruited election police will be deployed for a period of 40 days.

For the upcoming election, Humla has designated 60 polling locations and 64 polling centres under a single House of Representatives constituency. Based on geographical challenges and security assessments, the District Security Committee has categorised 25 polling locations as highly sensitive, 21 as sensitive, and 10 as normal.