PM Karki directs army to help ensure violence-free elections
KATHMANDU, Nov 28: Prime Minister Sushila Karki has instructed the Nepali Army to ensure that the upcoming elections are conducted without any violence, emphasizing that “not even a single drop of blood should be shed.” myRepublica
Visit to Nepal Army Headquarters
Prime Minister Sushila Karki on Friday visited the Nepal Army Headquarters and asked the service to take the lead in ensuring peaceful parliamentary elections scheduled March 5 next year. The Indian Express
Security briefing at Jangi Adda
During a briefing at the Nepali Army Headquarters in Jangi Adda, the national army presented the current security situation, key challenges and its operational plans for election security. The army also outlined its deployment strategy for the upcoming House of Representatives (HoR) election scheduled for March 5. myRepublica
Prime Minister Karki said the government formed after recent unrest bears the national responsibility of restoring law and order and conducting the election in a free, fair and fear-free environment. “To assure public security, support police actions, and facilitate unhindered political activities of all parties, I direct you to move ahead with a clear action plan,” she said. myRepublica
Prime Minister Karki also directed the army to assist the police in recovering weapons looted during the recent Gen Z protests and in arresting fugitives. She urged full cooperation in normalizing the situation and supporting police efforts to apprehend suspects. myRepublica
The meeting was attended by Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal, Law Minister Anil Kumar Sinha, Chief Secretary Suman Raj Aryal, Chief of Army Staff Ashok Raj Sigdel and other officials. myRepublica
Local, regional and international framing
Appointed after the recent Gen-Z movement in early September, Karki said holding the vote on time is a national responsibility she has accepted and that the army must help deliver it “without any violence.” The Indian Express
Karki’s remarks suggested a departure from past practice: the army, she implied, would now lead security arrangements, with the Armed Police Force and Nepal Police in supporting roles. The Indian Express
Local Nepali outlets report the visit and PM directives in detail, emphasising operational plans and coordination among security agencies; an Indian outlet highlights the political context and questions over deadlines and party cooperation. myRepublica The Indian Express
Background and related developments
The President’s office had earlier endorsed the decision to mobilise the army for the polls, which were called following the youth-led “Gen Z” protests in September 2025. The Indian Express
As reported separately, Nepal is also handling other domestic issues including a government portal to list students duped by so-called foreign institutes and ongoing diplomatic matters; these broader developments form the context for the government’s emphasis on security and order ahead of the polls. The Kathmandu Post myRepublica
What officials said (direct quotes)
“Not even a single drop of blood should be shed.” — Prime Minister Sushila Karki. myRepublica
“Holding the vote on time is a national responsibility” — contextual reporting on the PM’s message. The Indian Express
Start the Conversation
- What do you think are the most important measures the security forces should take to ensure peaceful voting?
- How can authorities balance robust security with protecting civil and political freedoms?
- Will deploying the army for election security affect public confidence in the electoral process?
- What lessons from the Gen Z protests should policymakers apply to protect both order and democratic rights?
- How should regional partners respond if tensions rise around Nepal’s election period?