12 of 17 candidates in Dhankuta hesitant to open election bank accounts
According to the District Election Office, only candidates from five political parties have applied for approval to operate dedicated election accounts.
KATHMANDU: Out of 17 candidates contesting the upcoming House of Representatives election in Dhankuta, 12 have so far hesitated to open separate bank accounts mandated for election purposes.
According to the District Election Office, only candidates from five political parties have applied for approval to operate dedicated election accounts.
Candidates from Congress, UML, Rastriya Prajatantra Party, and Aam Janata Party have secured the necessary clearance, while the remaining 12—both party-affiliated and independent—have delayed the process, the Code of Conduct Monitoring Committee reported.
The Election Commission requires all candidates to open a new bank account for transparency, ensuring that all income and expenditures related to the election are properly documented.
All election-related transactions must be conducted solely through this account.
The Election Office emphasized that separate accounts help maintain transparency and prevent violations of expenditure limits set by the commission.
Candidates who fail to open the mandated account or disclose spending details may face inquiries, fines of up to Rs 100,000, or even disqualification, under Section 23 of the Election Commission Act, 2073 BS.
Chief District Officer Binod Kumar Khadka said in an all-party meeting that all candidates, including independents, have been instructed to open accounts promptly and conduct all election-related financial transactions through them.
