Kathmandu. The Election Commission (EC) has urged the central bank to open banking accounts for the candidates contesting the House of Representatives elections.

Issuing a letter to the central bank, the EC urged the central bank to make arrangements for the election of the candidates to manage the election expenses through their bank accounts and to designate the officials responsible for the expenses to be made on their behalf.

Clause 16 of the election code of conduct issued in accordance with Clause 23 of the Election Commission Act, 2073 BS states that a candidate should open a separate account in a bank or financial institution while making election-related expenses from the same account.

As per the bill, the political parties should open a separate account in the bank or financial institution while making election-related expenses and spend it from the same account by the responsible official designated by the party.

Similarly, if cash is taken as voluntary assistance from any person or institution, the receipt or reimbursement of the amount has to be given. As per the provisions, the support received in the name of political parties should be deposited in the bank accounts of the political parties and in the bank accounts of the candidates.

The EC has urged the government to facilitate the political parties and first-ever candidates to open bank accounts in order to make the general election free, fair, frugal and transparent by implementing the provision effectively.

This provision would also apply to the candidates under the proportional representation system. The banks and financial institutions that carry out banking transactions for the political parties and independent candidates of both the electoral systems will continue to operate until the general elections are held and the EC decides to close them.

The EC has written to the central bank to make arrangements for opening a separate bank account for each political party and one for each candidate for the expenses related to the election.