Candidates in Rautahat Show Laxity in Managing Election Expenses Ahead of Polls

Rautahat. With only five days remaining until the House of Representatives election scheduled for February 21, laxity in expense management is evident among candidates in Rautahat district.

Out of the 142 candidates contesting from all four House of Representatives constituencies, only 65 have obtained recommendations for opening a bank account for election purposes.

According to the District Election Office, Rautahat, as of Friday evening, 77 candidates have not even acquired the necessary recommendations. The office stated that the low level of activity among candidates is concerning, despite the mandatory bank account requirement aimed at making election expenditures transparent.

Office Chief Chhotelal Das said that the situation where many candidates have not operated a bank account even with only a few days left until the election is worrying. He mentioned that failing to complete the process on time could lead to problems in collecting and reporting expenditure details.

According to the office's data, in Constituency No. 1, 24 candidates, including 12 from political parties and 12 independents, have obtained recommendations. In Constituency No. 2, 15 candidates, including 9 from parties and 6 independents; in Constituency No. 3, 11 candidates, including 10 from parties and one independent; and in Constituency No. 4, 15 candidates, including 13 from parties and 2 independents, have obtained recommendations to open bank accounts.

As per the Election Commission's directive, candidates are required to conduct all election-related income and expenditure compulsorily through a bank account. However, as the election date approaches, the failure of a large number of candidates to open accounts has raised questions about the transparency of expense management. The office has urged the remaining candidates to complete the process of opening bank accounts in time. Election Officer Das stated that action could be taken against candidates who do not open accounts as per the decision made by the Election Commission.