Nepal has sought logistical assistance from neighboring India and China to conduct polls in April and May this year. The country’s Election Commission, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has communicated its requirement to both the countries, reported The Kathmandu Post.

“During a recent meeting with the Ministry of Finance, our joint-secretary submitted the list of items we will require for the polls,”  Dinesh Thapaliya, the chief election commissioner, was quoted as saying by The Kathmandu Post.

Earlier, in the past also, Nepal had sought assistance from both its neighbors for polls. “We have already communicated our requirements in writing to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, a Nepali diplomat posted at New Delhi embassy confirmed.

Sewa Lamsal, Nepal’s foreign ministry spokesperson, confirmed, saying such requests are normal and Nepal regularly sought support from the friendly neighboring countries for elections.

However, Supreme Court in Nepal is yet to announce a decision on petitions challenging the house dissolution by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. If the court restores the house, there is no question of conducting polls. And, in case, it validates the house dissolution, Nepal’s Election Commission would have very little time to complete election preparations.

On 20 December last year, Oli had dissolved the house, necessitating general elections in the Himalayan country.