Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal has dismissed claims that the Nepali Army will be responsible for transporting ballot boxes after voting in the upcoming Falgun 21 election. He said such reports are misleading and do not reflect the actual security arrangements in place.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, the minister said ballot boxes will be handled under the government’s integrated security plan. After voting concludes, ballot boxes will be taken to the respective election officer’s office by the polling officers themselves, as per standard procedure.
He clarified that ballot papers printed at Janak Education Materials Center were already delivered to election offices in the districts. From there, polling officers are responsible for transporting them to voting centres. After voting, the same officials will bring the sealed ballot boxes back to the election office.
According to the minister, the vehicle carrying the ballot boxes will include the driver and polling officer in the front, followed by the ballot boxes, security personnel, and representatives of candidates. Additional security vehicles from Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force will escort the convoy if needed. The army may provide support only in case of heightened security risks but will not directly handle the ballot boxes.
Aryal said all security mechanisms have been mobilised across the country under the integrated security framework. Necessary election materials have already reached their designated locations, and security forces are in place at polling centres.
He expressed confidence that the upcoming election will be more secure and transparent than previous ones and said the government is committed to ensuring a free, fair, and orderly voting process.