Kathmandu:
Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari has said that political parties and candidates contesting the House of Representatives election must conduct all financial transactions through the banking system.
Speaking at an interaction program organized today by the Election Commission with umbrella organizations of the private sector, targeting the House of Representatives election scheduled for Falgun 21, Acting Chief Commissioner Bhandari urged political parties and candidates not to engage in cash transactions during the election period.
He warned that there are legal provisions allowing strict action, including cancellation of candidacy, if parties or candidates are found carrying out transactions in violation of the banking system. He added that all stakeholders have been supporting the election process to maintain discipline and restore stability so that the country does not face a situation similar to Bangladesh.
Referring to the situation of Bhadra 23 and 24, Bhandari said the Election Commission has believed from the very beginning that elections are the most appropriate means to bring the country back on track. He also thanked business communities and the media for their support in this process. Stressing that the country could fall further behind without good governance and lasting peace, he said holding elections is the nation’s top priority at present.
He stated that forces attempting to disrupt the election have now weakened, and no one can deny that the election will take place on Falgun 21.
Bhandari also recalled that after the Election Commission wrote to the government to prevent misuse of the national flag, the Ministry of Home Affairs instructed concerned agencies to act in accordance with established procedures. He informed that legal action will be taken if the election code of conduct is not fully followed.
Highlighting that foreign nationals may also arrive in the name of election observation, he emphasized the need to monitor observers as well and called on private sector representatives to cooperate in this regard.
At the same program, Election Commission Secretary Krishna Bahadur Raut said the private sector must support compliance with the election code of conduct. He stressed that periodic elections, carried out through collective cooperation, are essential for strengthening democracy. Informing that approximately NPR 31 billion will be spent during the election, he noted that such expenditure would help energize industries, businesses, and the overall economy.
