Half of Kathmandu candidates yet to open election bank accounts
Out of 250 candidates who filed nominations across 10 constituencies in Kathmandu, only 120 have so far opened accounts, according to Kathmandu election officer Thakur Prasad Bhattarai.
KATHMANDU: Ahead of the March 5 House of Representatives election, nearly half of the candidates in the federal capital Kathmandu have not yet opened the required bank accounts for election-related expenses.
Out of 250 candidates who filed nominations across 10 constituencies in Kathmandu, only 120 have so far opened accounts, according to Kathmandu election officer Thakur Prasad Bhattarai.
The Election Commission has instructed political parties that candidates must conduct all election-related financial transactions through a bank or financial institution, as per the election code of conduct.
Despite this directive, many candidates have yet to comply.
Spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai emphasized in a Sunday statement that any campaign contribution or expenditure exceeding Rs 25,000 must go through a separate bank account set up for election purposes.
Candidates may be required to submit detailed account statements and supporting bills if requested by the commission.
Candidates are allowed to spend between Rs 2.5 million and Rs 3.3 million, depending on their constituency.
