Issuing a four-point directive to the ministry, the EC also urged MoHA to keep licensed weapons issued to the public in the custody of district administration offices until local level polls were over. The commission also asked the ministry to prohibit carrying of explosives, chemicals and poisonous substances. It also asked the ministry to ban production and sale of liquor, as it could affect the holding of local polls in a free and fair manner. “We have also directed security agencies to keep a vigil on activities of suspicious people and miscreants, who could obstruct election,” said Election Commissioner Ishwori Prasad Poudel. He said the commission had also asked the security forces to take miscreants under control if needed. The EC, which met representatives of Nepali Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and National Investigation Department, defence secretary and home affairs secretary yesterday, had requested them to make an environment conducive for polls. Addressing the meeting, Chief Election Commissioner Ayodhi Prasad Yadav said security agencies should be free from prejudice. Election commissioners Ila Sharma, Ishwori Prasad Poudel, Narendra Dahal and Sudhir Kumar Sah, Home Secretary Lok Darshan Regmi, Defence Secretary Shreedhar Sapkota and EC Secretary Gopinath Mainali were among those who attended the meeting. Meanwhile, the EC examined the condition of the press of Janak Shiksha Samagri Kendra Ltd today. The Election Commission is planning to print election-related materials, including ballot papers, there. EC Spokesperson Surya Prasad Sharma said the commissioners and officials found the press and its security condition satisfactory.