Half of Federal Capital's Candidates Yet to Open Election Bank Accounts

Kathmandu. Half of the candidates in the federal capital, Kathmandu, have not yet opened a bank account. Although 250 candidates registered nominations for the House of Representatives election scheduled for this coming Falgun 21 across Kathmandu's 10 constituencies, details received so far indicate that only 120 have opened election-targeted bank accounts, informed Kathmandu's Election Officer Thakur Prasad Bhattarai.

The Election Commission had directed political parties that candidates must not spend or cause spending through means other than banks or financial institutions for election-related expenses. Despite this matter being mentioned in the Election Code of Conduct, half of the candidates have not opened bank accounts.

Commission Spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai stated that they again drew attention through a press release on Sunday, mandating that for election purposes, if financial assistance exceeding NPR 25,000 is received or spent, it must be done through a separate account opened in a bank or financial institution.

He also informed that candidates must present expense vouchers and details of the bank or financial institution account, along with original vouchers and bank/financial institution account details, if ordered by the Commission. Arrangements have been made allowing candidates to spend between NPR 2.5 million to NPR 3.3 million depending on the geography.