NEPALGUNJ: Banke and Bardiya checkpoints bordering India are to be closed from tonight in view of the May 13 local polls in Nepal.

Chief District Officer Surya Bahadur Khatry informed that the Banke and Bardiya-based checkpoints sharing the border with India are to be closed for 72 hours.

He shared that the border checkpoints will remain closed from 12.00 tonight through May 13 midnight. The measure will be put in place to conduct the local level election in a free, fair, and peaceful manner.

Earlier too, the administration had decided to close border checkpoints at least 72 hours before the election considering possible security threats due to open borders.

Banke and Bardiya districts share 65 and 82 kilometers of border area with India.