Fiscal Nepal
First Business News Portal in English from Nepal
KATHMANDU: The has decided to allow both domestic and international flights to operate normally on the day of the House of Representatives election scheduled for February 21, reversing the restrictive aviation practice followed in previous polls.
The Commission said the decision was taken as part of broader measures to facilitate election security and ensure smooth voting procedures without unnecessarily disrupting critical sectors such as tourism and international travel.
In a formal communication to the , the Commission instructed authorities to create an enabling environment for uninterrupted flight operations on polling day.
Passenger Mobility Arrangements Approved
According to the decision, passengers holding valid domestic or international flight tickets will be allowed to travel between airports and their residences or hotels despite broader vehicular restrictions imposed during voting hours.
The Commission has directed the Home Ministry to coordinate with security agencies to permit the use of:
Private vehicles of ticket-holding passengers, and
Transport arranged by the respective airlines
This provision will apply specifically for airport transfers on the day of voting.
Shift from Previous Election Practice
In past elections, domestic flights were typically suspended on polling day as part of nationwide mobility restrictions. The suspension often disrupted travel plans and affected tourism flows.
Following the earlier practice, the had even issued travel advisories anticipating flight closures during election periods.
However, with tourism gradually stabilizing and international air connectivity expanding, the Commission appears to have recalibrated its approach, balancing election security concerns with economic and logistical realities.
Officials indicated that security arrangements at airports and surrounding areas will be tightened to prevent any misuse while ensuring that voter participation and aviation services proceed simultaneously.
The decision signals a more flexible election management strategy, aimed at safeguarding democratic processes without causing avoidable economic disruption.
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