Four Sudurpaschim districts declared sensitive

KATHMANDU: Sudurpaschim Province Police have identified Bajura, Achham, Darchula and Bajhang as security-sensitive districts ahead of the upcoming House of Representatives election and are preparing enhanced security measures accordingly.

Spokesperson of the Provincial Police Office, Dhangadhi, and Senior Superintendent of Police Padam Bahadur Bista said the decision was made after a detailed study and analysis of incidents that occurred during previous elections in the region.

“Based on an assessment of undesirable incidents reported during past elections, these four districts have been classified as sensitive, and security arrangements are being strengthened accordingly,” SSP Bista said. “Elements that may attempt to disrupt the election process are under close surveillance, and necessary preventive preparations are underway.”

Considering the remote and mountainous geography, arrangements are being made to transport ballot boxes from high-altitude polling stations to district headquarters using helicopters.

Authorities are also preparing alternative voting options in anticipation of possible snowfall in Himalayan areas on election day.

In Darchula’s northern villages of Tinkar and Chhangru, residents traditionally migrate closer to district headquarters during winter, settling in an area known as Tinkarkheda.

Special arrangements are being planned to allow these voters to cast their ballots at the district headquarters.

Similarly, in Bajura, many families from three Himalayan municipalities migrate seasonally with their livestock to other districts during winter. Police officials say it remains uncertain whether these voters will return to their villages by election day.

“People who migrate to other districts during winter usually return only around Chaitra,” SSP Bista noted. “Discussions are ongoing on how to ensure voting rights for those who may not return by the polling date.”

To further strengthen election security, police offices currently lacking vehicles will be provided with necessary transportation facilities. Additional police teams led by senior superintendents will be deployed region-wise:

• A special team for Bajura, Achham and Doti,

• Another for Darchula, Baitadi and Kanchanpur, and

• A separate team for Bajhang, Kailali and Dadeldhura.

Under the provincial election security plan, 7,374 Nepal Police personnel and 13,669 election police will be deployed across Sudurpaschim. The Armed Police Force and the Nepal Army will also be mobilized as per their respective security plans.

Based on risk assessment, 302 polling stations have been classified as normal, 395 as sensitive, and 481 as highly sensitive, with security arrangements tailored accordingly.

Voter Statistics

Sudurpaschim Province comprises 16 House of Representatives constituencies across nine districts.

According to the 2078 BS national census, the province has a total population of 2,694,783, with 1,716,660 registered voters.

Kailali has the highest number of voters at 551,052, followed by Kanchanpur with 314,385 and Achham with 165,337.

Kailali has five constituencies, Kanchanpur three, and Achham two.

Districts with one constituency each include Dadeldhura (93,403 voters), Baitadi (156,372), Darchula (92,948), Doti (128,399), Bajhang (126,903) and Bajura (87,861), according to Provincial Election Office Kailali Chief Prem Raj Bhatt.

In the House of Representatives election held three years ago, the Nepali Congress won eight constituencies, the then Nagarik Unmukti Party three, CPN-UML two, and the then CPN (Unified Socialist) three.

Amid the new political landscape following the Gen Z movement, the next House of Representatives election is scheduled for March 5.