Nepal has temporarily shut down all border crossings with India for a period of 72 hours, commencing Saturday. This stringent security measure is being implemented in anticipation of the second phase of elections in the Indian state of Bihar. Several districts situated along the shared frontier, including Sarlahi, Mahottari, and Rautahat, are participating in this border closure. Notably, the Mahottari district has completely sealed all eleven of its access points to India.
Authorities have cited security concerns related to the November 11th Bihar election as the primary reason for halting cross-border movement. Assistant Chief District Officer of Mahottari, Sanjay Kumar Pokhrel, confirmed that the border would be sealed from 6 PM on November 8th until 6 PM on November 11th. This synchronized closure is a well-established protocol during electoral processes in either nation, involving close collaboration between security forces of Nepal and India to ensure peace and order.
Local administration offices in bordering regions have been placed on high alert. A directive has been issued suspending all travel between the two countries, with exceptions made only for critical emergency situations. The second phase of the Bihar polls will cover 122 constituencies across 20 districts, with results slated for announcement on Friday. This electoral process sees over 1,300 candidates vying for seats, with a significant portion being women. Millions of eligible voters are expected to cast their ballots across thousands of polling centers.