Kathmandu. KATHMANDU: The Election Commission (EC) has added some new provisions to the Election Code of Conduct-2082 scheduled for March 4 for the election to the member of the House of Representatives and which it has made public for consultations.

The new provision has been added to the bill to make expenses and income through all banks and financial institutions, and to keep all bills and reimbursements.

According to the EC, such provision is being made to maintain transparency in the source of the election expenditure. The EC has mentioned that the political parties and candidates should disclose the possible amount of money they would spend in the election and also the source of the same.

The candidate will have to open a separate account in the bank and financial institution and make the expenditure from the same account. Likewise, while making expenses related to election expenses, the officials responsible for spending on their behalf should be appointed. Provisions have been made to inform the office of the returning officer and the election office along with the names and names of the designated office-bearers.

As per the proposed code of conduct, a political party will have to open a separate account in a bank or financial institution while making election-related expenses only from a responsible official designated by the political party. Similarly, financial assistance of more than Rs 25,000 should be received through banks or financial institutions.

If cash is taken as voluntary assistance from an individual or institution, the amount should be deposited in the bank or financial institution by giving receipt or reimbursement. The details of expenses and bill receipts will also have to be maintained. The income and expenditure details have to be submitted to the District Election Office or the Commission in the format prescribed by the Commission in accordance with the prevailing law.

The additional provision states that if the Commission orders to submit the bill of expenditure and the details of the account of the bank or financial institution, the original bill will be paid and the details of the account of the bank or financial institution should be submitted. The details of the election expenditure should be made public after the completion of the election and submitted to the Election Commission or the Election Office within the deadline specified by the prevailing election laws.