Patterns of Electoral Violence and Security Concerns in Nepal

Abstract

Electoral violence, as direct and indirect acts of violence intended to affect power structures and election outcomes, is a major threat to the integrity of the voting process. Nepal in the past few electoral exercise has been experiencing increasing number and forms of electoral violence that have known to derail democratic practice and disrupt the social cohesion. The study attempts to unravel these phenomena in Nepal through a qualitative research method employing focus group discussion, interviews, and an extensive review of secondary sources to show that conflicting political ideology, social and ethnic tensions, poverty, economic inequality, and convoluted frustration with socio-political structures are the leading causes of electoral violence. This paper argues that electoral violence undermines the participation of people in the electoral process, thus hindering the progress of democracy in Nepal. The state must ensure a comprehensive security mechanism throughout the electoral process that includes but is not limited to efficient use of technology, promotion of voter education, strengthening the impartiality of state agencies and law enforcement, and enacting legislation prohibiting political party manipulation to ensure free and fair elections.