India and Nepal have agreed to seal border crossings for 72 hours ahead of Nepal’s general election, with the border to be closed from March 2 until midnight on March 5 to ensure a peaceful voting environment for the House of Representatives polls. The temporary shutdown affects key crossing points along the India‑Nepal frontier, including Panitanki and Kakarvitta, officials said.
Chief District Officer of Jhapa, Shivram Golal, said the measure will come into force 72 hours before polling on March 5 and that only emergency movements, including medical evacuations, will be permitted during the closure. Travelers were urged to complete any cross‑border journeys before March 2 to avoid disruption.
An emergency meeting of the India‑Nepal Border District Coordination Committee held on Thursday evening decided on the temporary closure and focused on strengthening security arrangements for the election. Senior officers from India’s Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and Nepal’s Armed Police Force (APF) attended the talks to bolster joint patrolling and operational coordination.
The committee also resolved to step up efforts to prevent illegal cross‑border movement and smuggling of arms, drugs and counterfeit currency. The APF, Nepal Police and Nepal Army have already increased monitoring to deter unauthorized entries by third‑country nationals and other potential criminal infiltration.
Officials from both sides pledged continued close coordination to curb illicit activities along the border during the election period. The move is presented as a temporary, security‑focused precaution to protect the integrity of polling and public safety.
The announcement comes amid uncertainty about whether the vote will proceed unimpeded. Former King Gyanendra Shah, in a video message released on February 18, said holding general elections during the country’s current “painful situation” is “unwise and will not solve its deep‑rooted hurdles,” reflecting tensions surrounding the polls.
