New Delhi, Feb 25 (NationPress) As Nepal gears up for the elections scheduled on March 5, security forces have raised alarms regarding numerous potential obstacles. These include political confrontations, communal unrest, and the possibility of jail inmates escaping, particularly in light of last year's Gen Z protests, as per reports from Kathmandu on Wednesday.

According to the Kathmandu Post, some communist factions and groups pushing for the restoration of the monarchy are actively opposing the elections, prompting security agencies to monitor them closely.

"Security agencies have pinpointed a range of threats, including conflicts among various political party supporters, communal flare-ups, religious tensions, activities by monarchist groups, and the risk posed by prisoners who escaped during the Gen Z protests in September. Additionally, there are concerns surrounding the actions of political parties that have opted to boycott the election," the report stated.

In another report released on Wednesday, doubts have surfaced regarding the likelihood of the elections proceeding as planned.

The report highlighted that the controversial monarchist figure, Durga Prasain, and his followers have voiced their opposition to the election.

During a video address on February 18, former king Gyanendra remarked that conducting elections under the current circumstances would not resolve the country’s issues.

His comments have contributed to the mounting uncertainty surrounding the scheduled elections.

Interestingly, thousands of supporters welcomed Gyanendra at Kathmandu airport on February 13 upon his return from a trip to eastern Nepal.

The crowd chanted, "Bring back the king. We love our king more than our own selves. Restore constitutional monarchy," as they lined the route to his residence, showcasing significant support just before the pivotal March elections, which made it challenging for police in riot gear to manage the crowd.

In 2006, widespread protests compelled Gyanendra to relinquish power, and two years later, Nepal's Parliament abolished the monarchy after he left the Royal Palace to live as a common citizen.

Despite the growing skepticism about the snap elections on social media, the Kathmandu Post asserted that both the government and participating political parties have committed to holding the elections on the designated date.

“We have identified nearly all the elements that could create security issues, but those spreading misinformation on social media, whether domestically or internationally, present a significant challenge that must be addressed,” stated a senior security official, who chose to remain anonymous.

As the election for the House of Representatives approaches, the government has begun to accelerate security updates at the highest levels on a daily basis.

On Tuesday, interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki and Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal held consecutive security briefings to evaluate the situation, particularly concerning the elections.

The Prime Minister was also briefed by the heads of all security agencies regarding the preparations for the elections and the overall security landscape, according to a notice from Karki's private secretariat.

The parliamentary elections are set to occur under an interim government established after the resignation of then Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, who faced widespread anti-corruption protests from the Gen Z movement last September.