Election expenditure limit for presidential and vice-presidential candidates is Rs 400,000

Published On: February 28, 2023 04:00 PM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

KATHMANDU, Feb 28: The code of conduct for presidential and vice-presidential elections is being enforced. The code of conduct will be enforced from Wednesday (March 1) to March 19 after the publication of the final list of candidates at 5 pm. The presidential election is being held on March 23 and the vice-presidential election on March 3.

There are two candidates for the presidency – Ram Chandra Paudel and Subas Nemwang. No complaint has been filed against either of them. After the presidential election is over, the vice president will be elected. Therefore, the candidacies for the post of Vice President are yet to be registered.

What is the arrangement of expenses?

According to the Election Commission, after the publication of the final list, the presidential and vice-presidential candidates can start campaigning. However, they have been given a limit on election expenses.

Section 62 of the Act on the Election of the President and Vice President has provisions regarding the limit of expenses to be made by the candidates during the period from the registration of nomination papers to the announcement of the results. According to that arrangement, candidates can spend up to a maximum of four lakh rupees.

According to the specified limit, Rs 100,000 each can be spent on vehicles and on conferences and interactions. Similarly, Rs 60,000 can be spent on office operations, 40,000 on representative mobilization, 24,000 on miscellaneous, Rs 20,000 on vehicle fuel, publicity material, other publicity, printing and electronic media, 15,000 on transportation and 1,000 on purchasing voter lists.

Within 30 days of the announcement of the election results, the candidate must submit the expenditure statement to the Election Commission.

In the Code of Conduct, there is a provision that public gatherings, processions, sloganeering etc. cannot be held 48 hours before the polling. It is said that no sound system, SMS, social media and any other means can be used. There is a provision in the code of conduct that no musical instrument, public feasts, and walking with arms are allowed. Alcohol is also prohibited.