Schools to be closed for a week ahead of polls; border with India to be sealed from March 10

The government has asked educational institutions to close schools for one week ahead of the constituent assembly polls so that the teachers could be mobilised for public awareness campaign.

The Election Commission (EC) had asked the government to mobilise at least 60,000 school teachers for raising awareness among the voters. The EC came up with this idea due to lack of sufficient number of government employees involved in awareness campaign.

The teachers would be mobilised as volunteers. One male and one female teacher will be deployed in each VDC and municipality for the purpose.

Usually, schools remain closed during this period, except some, marking the end of the academic session.

Meanwhile, the border with India would be sealed from March 10 and additional barriers would be set up in all checkpoints.

According to Indian media reports, a senior police officer said the border would be sealed in view of constituent assembly elections scheduled for a month later.

Policemen in plain clothes would be deployed keeping in mind the sensitive nature of the border.

A meeting of senior officials of both the countries would be held before the elections for better coordination. Police officials from both countries have said vigil along the border had already started. nepalnews.com ia Mar 08 08