Nepal recommends army deployment for general elections; Curfew lifted in several areas

Defense Secretary Suman Raj Aryal and NSC Member Secretary stated that this recommendation was made to ensure free, fair, and fearless elections. The Ministry of Home Affairs has already approved an integrated security plan for the elections and sent it to all 77 district administration offices for implementation.

Post Published By: Sujata Biswal

Updated : 21 November 2025, 5:45 PM IST

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New Delhi: Nepal's National Security Council has recommended deployment of the army to ensure security during the general elections scheduled for March 5, 2026. The NSC made this recommendation on Thursday after reviewing the country's security situation.

Defense Secretary Suman Raj Aryal and NSC Member Secretary stated that this recommendation was made to ensure free, fair, and fearless elections. The Ministry of Home Affairs has already approved an integrated security plan for the elections and sent it to all 77 district administration offices for implementation.

What is the plan?
Under this plan, each district will develop its own security strategy and deploy the army, police, armed police force, and the National Investigation Department at each polling station. Meanwhile, the curfew was lifted on Friday in parts of Nepal's Bara district, bordering India, and normalcy returned.

The district was hit by violent clashes between Gen G protesters and members of ousted Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli's party. Daily activities in the district have picked up pace as markets reopened, schools resumed classes and transport services resumed.