Challenges in Recruiting Election Police Ahead of Nepal’s House of Representatives Elections

As Nepal gears up for the upcoming House of Representatives elections on Falgun 21, the recruitment of election police has faced unexpected challenges. Although applications for approximately 150,000 election police were called a week ago, 36 districts have reported fewer applicants than required. To address this shortfall, the deadline for submitting applications in these districts has been extended until Magh 3.

The Ministry of Home Affairs had planned to deploy 133,980 personnel from the Nepal Police and 15,110 from the Armed Police Force (APF), totaling 149,090 election police, for a 40-day period. Applications opened across the country on Poush 25, but districts in Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini, and Sudurpaschim provinces did not receive enough candidates.

In Koshi Province, nine districts including Dhankuta, Ilam, Panchthar, Tehrathum, Bhojpur, Khotang, Okhaldhunga, Solukhumbu, and Taplejung fell short. Similarly, eight districts in Bagmati Province, all districts in Gandaki, four districts in Lumbini, and four in Sudurpaschim reported insufficient applications. Authorities attribute the shortfall to the large-scale recruitment announcement and opportunities for foreign employment, as well as the fact that election police cannot vote, discouraging potential applicants.

Historically, more applications have been received than required. For instance, 232,088 applications were received for 115,000 temporary police positions during the House and Provincial Assembly elections in Mangsir 2079, and about 300,000 applications for 100,000 temporary police positions in the Local Level Elections of Baisakh 2079.

The selection of election police includes criteria such as age (18–54), Nepalese citizenship, literacy, physical fitness, absence of criminal convictions, and no affiliation with political parties. Men must meet minimum height, chest, and weight standards, while women must meet height and weight requirements and not be pregnant.

Election police will receive a daily allowance of NPR 869.40 for 40 days, along with rations, travel, and clothing allowances as per district regulations. Those injured or killed in the line of duty will receive compensation according to government provisions.

The Election Commission has determined 10,967 polling sites and 23,112 polling centers nationwide, with election police, internal perimeter police, APF personnel, and army personnel deployed based on risk assessment. The selection committees for recruitment have been formed under the leadership of Chief District Officers in each district, and the authorities are ready to proceed with the selection process after the extended application deadline.