One-third of the polling stations in the Kaski district are classified as 'highly sensitive'. Out of the 150 such stations, the Election Security Committee has identified 50 as highly sensitive and the remaining as either 'sensitive' or 'normal' in terms of election security threat.
The voting stations at Pokhara Metropolitan City wards have been categorized as normal while those in the rural municipalities have been kept in the highly sensitive and sensitive category. The Election Security Committee classified the polling stations based on the road distance, geographical condition, past incidents, and the present security situation, among other factors, said Deputy Superintendent Sundar Tiwari, the spokesperson at the District Police Office.
However, as he said there is no security challenge even at the polling stations categorized as highly sensitive. "Although there is no security threat in any of the polling stations, the security has been strengthened keeping in mind the possible challenges," he added.
Spokesperson Tiwari said they are observing the situation for conducting the election peacefully by identifying the parties from those boycotting the election to those taking part but seeking to use force.
The security cover at the polling stations is managed in three layers. The inner layer comprises of Nepal Police who will be supported by the Myadi (temporary) police, the middle layer consists of the Armed Police Force and the outer layer comprises of Nepali Army.
There are 336 polling booths at 150 voting stations in the Kaski district. Pokhara Metropolis has 98 polling stations with 242 polling booths.
