"The Nepali Army will directly manage polling booths and control ballot boxes in the March 5 election."

The integrated election security plan clearly assigns different roles to Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, temporary election police and the Nepali Army.

According to public statements by election and security officials, Nepal Police and election police form the first security ring and are responsible for managing polling centres, including queues, order inside and around booths, and immediate incident response.

The Nepali Army is deployed in the third or outer security ring, with a mandate to protect strategic locations, conduct patrols and support logistics. Officials have repeatedly said that army personnel will not enter polling booths or handle ballot boxes under normal conditions.

Only in exceptional circumstances – such as severe security breakdowns – and upon formal request from civil authorities and the Election Commission could the army be drawn closer to polling operations. There is no provision or decision for the army to run booths or control ballot boxes by default.