KATHMANDU, Feb 14: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dan Bahadur Karki has directed police chiefs across the country to preserve evidence while carrying out election-related duties, warning that candidates and party cadres could attempt to frame police personnel during the election period.
Issuing instructions during a virtual meeting with police chiefs on Friday, IGP Karki said elements from both new and established political parties could attempt to disrupt the elections, and urged officers to remain alert and perform their duties fearlessly.
He instructed office chiefs to carefully assess security threats before providing personal security officers (PSOs) to any candidate requesting protection. Referring to an incident in Jhapa, where security personnel were deployed in plain clothes for the protection of Rastriya Swatantra Party Senior Leader and Jhapa-5 candidate Balendra Shah (Balen)’s spouse, Sabina Kafle, he warned that action would be taken against those found assigning security personnel improperly.
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“No security personnel should be deployed for election campaigning purposes. If such deployment is found, action will be taken,” he said.
The police chief also directed officials to keep records of any personnel attempting to approach candidates or leak confidential information during the election period. He warned that strict action would be taken against officers involved in sharing internal strategies or sensitive information.
Karki further instructed that no police personnel be assigned to home-area duties during the election period.
He cautioned that narratives portraying divisions between new and established political parties could trigger clashes, creating opportunities for disruptive elements. “Clashes could be instigated, and risks may arise at that time,” he said.
IGP Karki also directed strict enforcement of the election code of conduct. He instructed officers to maintain records of conversations, voice recordings, and digital messages during security-related communications to prevent any attempts to falsely implicate police personnel.
“They may later claim that the police did not inform them or were unaware. Therefore, maintain proper records and preserve evidence,” he said.
According to a press statement issued by Nepal Police Headquarters, the IGP directed all units to coordinate closely with other security agencies and stakeholders to ensure free, fair, and fear-free elections. He emphasized prioritizing intelligence gathering and mobilizing reliable security mechanisms to bring those violating the election code of conduct under the legal framework.
The virtual meeting was attended by chiefs of all seven provincial police offices, the Kathmandu Valley Police Office, highway security and traffic management offices, provincial training centers, special security units, district police offices, and other subordinate units.
