Faith and duty on the frontline of elections

By Siraj Khan,Nepalgunj, Mar. 16: Before dawn breaks over the bustling streets of Nepalgunj, 23-year-old Najani Bano Rai begins a day that demands both faith and fortitude. During the holy month of Ramadan, when Muslims observe a strict fast from sunrise to sunset, abstaining even from drinking water, Rai steps into her police uniform and heads out for duty. This had been Rai's regular routine until recently. 

For more than 12 hours, she remains without food or drink. Yet her focus was not on hunger or thirst. Instead, it was on the responsibility she carried as an election police.

Rai, a resident of Nepalgunj-11, drew attention across the community for quietly balancing religious devotion with public duty. While fasting throughout the day, she continued performing her election security duties, standing guard and assisting voters during the polls.

“Wearing the police uniform while observing my fast made me feel incredibly proud,” Rai said with a smile playing on her lips. “I am proud of the police service. It’s a field I’ve always been passionate about.”

The holy month of Ramadan holds deep significance for Muslims worldwide. From sunrise to sunset, they refrain from food and drink as an act of spiritual discipline and devotion. For Rai, however, the sacred routine of fasting unfolded alongside long working hours on election duty.

Despite the physical challenge, she never considered stepping back. Having completed higher education, Rai had long dreamed of serving the country as a police officer. Although she has not yet joined the force permanently, working as an election police officer has brought her a step closer to that aspiration.

“Since childhood, I wanted to serve the nation as a police officer,” she said. “Even if it is just through election duty for now, wearing the uniform feels like fulfilling part of that dream.”

Her commitment has not gone unnoticed. According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Deepak Patali, Spokesperson for the District Police Office in Banke, a significant number of Muslim men and women were selected as election police this year.

“Despite observing the Ramadan fast, many of them performed their duties for up to 13 hours with remarkable dedication,” DSP Patali added. “Their commitment to public service has been exemplary.”

Police records show that 2,188 personnel from the Nepal Police and 303 from the Armed Police Force were deployed as the election police in Banke. While the Armed Police contingent consisted solely of male officers, nearly 1,200 women served among the Nepal Police election personnel.

For voters passing through polling stations, she may have appeared like any other officer ensuring order. Yet behind the uniform was a young woman fasting through the long hours of Ramadan, carrying both her spiritual commitment and her dream of serving the nation.

In that quiet balance of devotion and duty, Najni Bano Rai has become an inspiring figure for many in her community.