KATHMANDU: With 61 days remaining until the House of Representatives (HoR) elections scheduled for March 5, the Election Commission (EC) has fixed constituency-wise spending limits for candidates.
According to the Commission, candidates contesting in 26 constituencies, mainly in geographically remote areas, will be allowed to spend up to Rs 3.3 million, the highest ceiling set.
These include Taplejung, Panchthar, Sankhuwasabha, Solukhumbu, Khotang, Dolakha and Ramechhap, as well as constituencies in Kavrepalanchok (two), Makawanpur (two), Gorkha, Lamjung, Arghakhanchi, Rolpa, Pyuthan, Dang (one), Bardiya (two), Salyan, Dolpa, Humla, Jajarkot, Bajhang, Doti and Baitadi.
The Commission said the higher limit reflects challenges related to geography and accessibility. For constituencies in more accessible districts, the minimum spending cap has been set at Rs 2.5 million. Only five constituencies, Kathmandu-1, 3, 6, 7 and 8, fall under this lowest limit.
Candidates in Tehrathum, Parsa-1, 2 and 3, Rasuwa, Kathmandu-2, 4, 5, 9 and 10, Lalitpur-1 and 2, Manang, Kaski-2 and Rukum East will be allowed to spend up to Rs 2.7 million. Likewise, the spending limit has been set at Rs 2.9 million for candidates in 65 constituencies and Rs 3.1 million for those in 52 constituencies.
The Commission has also made it mandatory for candidates to open a bank account at a licensed bank or financial institution for all election-related expenditures.
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