Central Security Committee bans use of drones during elections

KATHMANDU: The Central Security Committee has decided to ban the use of drones during the March 5 House of Representatives (HoR) elections.

A meeting of the Committee held on Friday reviewed the progress of work being carried out under the Integrated Election Security Plan–2082, including manpower mobilisation and security arrangements, according to Ministry of Home Affairs spokesperson Ananda Kafle.

The meeting also decided to further strengthen the modern police unit established to prevent the misuse of social media and to take legal action against individuals involved in anti-election activities.

Similarly, the Committee resolved to ban the use of drones during the election period, provide insurance coverage to security personnel and election police deployed for the polls, identify polling stations lacking communication facilities and make necessary arrangements, and monitor individuals spreading false or misleading information or hate speech in violation of the election code of conduct, Kafle said.

During the meeting, Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal, while briefing on election security preparations, directed the heads of security agencies to carry out risk assessments and ensure strict security measures throughout the election period.