India-Nepal border sealed ahead of crucial polls

The India-Nepal border was sealed ahead of the second Constituent Assembly polls tomorrow, with extensive 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.

The border with India was sealed over the weekend in view of threats related to the polls. Movement of people and vehicles across the border was banned and additional security personnel were deployed in sensitive areas, officials said.

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.

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

Nepal will choose a 601-member assembly to 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, called a nine-day nationwide transport strike that is effective till Tuesday to disrupt the polls.

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 in 2008.

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.

Uprety said election materials had reached all 18,400 polling booths. "Election officers have also reached the polling centres and 80 per cent of voters' identity cards have been distributed," he said.

Remaining ID cards would reach voters this evening.