Sarlahi-4, Gagan’s constituency, classified as ‘most sensitive’

Heightened Security Concerns in Sarlahi-4

Sarlahi Constituency-4 has drawn significant attention from election authorities after being classified entirely as "most sensitive" for security reasons ahead of the upcoming House of Representatives election on March 5.

All 81 polling stations in this constituency, where Nepali Congress President Gagan Thapa is contesting, fall under this high-risk category, prompting immediate action from local officials.

The District Election Office reports that over 92 percent of polling stations across Sarlahi district are either sensitive or highly sensitive, but Sarlahi-4 stands out uniquely with every single location flagged at the highest level.

This classification stems from a combination of factors including the area's remoteness, its close proximity to the Nepal-India border, a history of clashes between political parties, and past criminal incidents that have marred previous polls.

District-Wide Preparations and Voter Breakdown

Authorities in Sarlahi have established 628 polling centers across 312 polling stations in the district's four constituencies to accommodate the 511,606 registered voters.

Of these, 158 polling stations are deemed highly sensitive, 131 sensitive, and just 23 normal, reflecting the overall tense atmosphere.

Sarlahi-4 itself has 121,120 voters, with 81 polling stations hosting 154 polling centers.

For comparison, neighboring constituencies have slightly larger voter bases: Sarlahi-1 with 130,871 voters, Sarlahi-2 with 125,311, and Sarlahi-3 with 134,412.

The voter demographics include 278,837 men, 232,758 women, and 11 others, bolstered by 22,595 new voters added since the last election cycle.

The District Security Committee, led by Chief District Officer Ramu Raj Kadariya, has already begun on-site inspections, with officials visiting several stations on Saturday to assess risks firsthand.

Intense Political Battle Fuels Tensions

The spotlight on Sarlahi-4 intensifies due to the high-profile contest between Gagan Thapa of the Nepali Congress and Amaresh Kumar Singh, who previously won the seat as an independent in the 2022 elections but is now running under the Rastriya Swatantra Party banner.

This face-off has turned the constituency into a major political hotspot, with both candidates drawing large crowds and sharpening rivalries.

District Police Chief SP Yogendra Kumar Khadka noted that monitoring is especially tight near border areas to counter potential threats, though the current security situation remains stable.

"We have prioritized surveillance in border regions because of possible challenges, but the involvement of major party candidates should help keep things under control," Khadka stated during a recent briefing on election readiness.

Chief District Officer Kadariya emphasized that classifications were based on thorough evaluations of social, political, geographical, and border-related risks, leading to some polling stations being relocated for safety.

Security forces, including Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, and the Nepali Army, are gearing up to deploy additional personnel to ensure a peaceful voting process.

In response to these challenges, election officials are working closely with security agencies to implement robust measures, such as increased patrols and contingency plans, aiming for a fair and incident-free election day.

Voters in Sarlahi can expect heightened presence of law enforcement, particularly in Constituency-4, to safeguard the democratic process amid these vulnerabilities.

This classification underscores the unique pressures on Sarlahi-4, driven by its geography and fierce electoral rivalry, as authorities strive to protect over half a million voters district-wide.