Stage set for Nepal polls amid tight security, Maoist threats

Nepal is all set to hold its second Constituent Assembly elections tomorrow with stepped up security put in place to thwart threats and violence unleashed by a CPN-Maoist-led alliance trying to disrupt the polls aimed at ending the country's political uncertainty.

"All preparations regarding the November 19 elections have been completed," Chief Election Commissioner Neel Kantha Uprety told PTI today.

The government has mobilised 200,000 security personnel, including 60,000 soldiers, and over one lakh government staff to ensure security for the crucial polls.

Nepal will choose a 601-member assembly that will draft a new Constitution, including 240 elected under a direct voting system. There will be proportionate voting for 335 seats and the remaining 26 members will be nominated by the government.

Uprety contended there were no disturbances that would affect the election despite threats issued by the Maoists, who have asked people to boycott the polls.

He asked "dissenting groups not to obstruct the polls" though they could "peacefully protest". He said, "Please honour the voters' rights while exercising your rights to boycott the polls."

The CPN-Maoist, led by Mohan Vaidya, has called a nine-day nationwide transport strike that is effective till Tuesday to disrupt the polls.

Polling will start at 7 am and end at 5 pm. This is the first time that elections are being held across Nepal with voters' identity cards. The government announced a three-day holiday from Sunday to facilitate the polls.

"Election materials have already reached all 18,400 polling booths to conduct the polls smoothly. Election officers have also reached the polling centres and 80 percent of voters' identity cards have been distributed," he said.

The remaining ID cards would reach voters this evening.

During a live televised programme this afternoon, Uprety appealed to people to exercise their franchise. "We appeal to all 12.147 million voters to cast their votes," he said, expressing hope that the turnout would not be less than the 61 per cent recorded in the last Constituent Assembly elections held in 2008.