EC makes bank accounts mandatory for election campaign expenses

KATHMANDU: The Election Commission (EC) has introduced the Election Campaign Bank Account Operation and Management Procedures, 2082 to ensure transparency in election-related expenditures by political parties and candidates.

Under the new provisions, all campaign expenses during the general election must be conducted through the banking system. The procedures have been enforced in accordance with Sections 24 and 50 of the Election Commission Act, 2073; Section 16 of the Election Code of Conduct, 2082; and directives issued by Nepal Rastra Bank, the central bank regulator.

According to the Commission, all political parties registered with it and contesting elections under the proportional representation (PR) and first-past-the-post (FPTP) systems, as well as their candidates and independent candidates, are required to channel all campaign-related financial support, donations, and expenditures through a designated bank account. The move aims to discourage cash-based transactions and ensure clear records of income and expenses.

As per the procedures, political parties must obtain a recommendation from the Election Commission Secretariat to open a campaign bank account, while candidates are required to secure a recommendation from the election office of the concerned district.

Such accounts may be opened only in designated banks and financial institutions on the basis of these recommendations. The procedures also outline provisions related to account operation, transaction limits, submission of financial details, and monitoring mechanisms.

The Commission said that conducting transactions through the banking system will help identify funding sources, track expenditures, and facilitate post-election audits.