Achham, Feb. 3 -- When Tanka Prasad Dhungana, a resident of ward 5 of Mangalsen Municipality in Achham, first donned the temporary police uniform in 1991, he was just 18. His parents applied tika on his forehead and fed him yoghurt-a ritual of blessing-before he left for duty.

He has been recruited as election police officer for the upcoming March 5 polls almost after 34 years.

As he prepares for what he says will be his final election duty, three grandchildren have sent him off with a lighter request: "bring us sweets when you come back, Grandpa".

Dhungana is known locally as a "myadi baje"-the veteran temporary policeman. He has served as a member of the temporary election police, now called election police, ten times since the 1991 ...