Security Council meeting: Recommendation to deploy army for election

KATHMANDU: The National Security Council has decided to recommend to the Council of Ministers the deployment of the Nepal Army for the upcoming House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5.

The decision was taken during the 41st meeting of the National Security Council held on Thursday at Singha Durbar. The meeting resolved to recommend army deployment in accordance with Article 266(1) of the Constitution of Nepal to ensure that the election is conducted in a free, fair, and fear-free environment.

The meeting also discussed the draft of the Council’s eighth annual report, endorsed it with necessary revisions, and decided to submit it to the President, according to Suman Raj Aryal, Secretary of the Ministry of Defence and Member-Secretary of the Council.

The Council Secretariat stated that the meeting reviewed potential security challenges, recent national and international developments that may impact national security, and the strategies required to address future risks.

The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Sushila Karki and attended by Finance Minister Rameshwor Khanal, Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal, Chief Secretary Ek Narayan Aryal, Chief of Army Staff Ashok Raj Sigdel, among other officials.