The government has issued a circular to chiefs of ministries, departments and other government offices not to allow staff any leave till February 8, a newspaper report said.

The Kathmandu Post daily quoted a highly placed source as saying that the circular was issued recently to stop civil servants from being absent for the upcoming municipal polls slated for February 8.

The government is holding municipal polls despite criticism from all walks of life and threats of major opposition parties to boycott it.

“Of course, no civil servants and their family members want to take part in the conflict-prone municipal polls but the government is trying to force us. We have either to quit the job or obey the circular. We have been victimized,” the report quoted a government official as saying.

There has been no comment from the side of the civil servants’ associations regarding the latest decision of the government.

As Maoists are increasing violent activities to disrupt the local elections and warning to take “physical action” against anyone who supports or takes part in the election process, the Election Commission (EC) has made provisions for insurance of civil servants who will be assigned for the local elections.

The gazetted officers will be insured for a premium of Rs 700,000 while the non-gazetted employees will be insured at Rs 500,000.