5,051 local poll candidates yet to submit election expenditure details

By Our Correspondent, Kalyanpur, Aug 22: Altogether 5,051 candidates of the May 13 local level elections in Saptari have not yet furnished their election expenditure details to the Election Commission (EC) even three months after the polls. 

Out of 5,535 candidates who contested the local body election on May 13 from Saptari, 5,051 candidates, including those elected ones, have not yet submitted their election expenditure, the District Election Office informed. 

Of the candidates who contested the local polls in the district, only 484 have furnished their expenditure details.

Any party or candidate that fails to submit expenditure details is subjected to a fine equivalent to his or her expenditure or Rs. 500,000, whichever is more. In Saptari, 856 people's representatives have been elected from 164 wards of 18 local levels, including nine municipalities and nine rural municipalities.

Only 168 of the elected representatives and 316 unelected candidates submitted their election expenditure details. As per the Election Commission Act, all candidates are required to submit the details of their election expenses to their respective district election offices within 30 days of the publication of the election results.

Any party or candidate that fails to submit expenditure details is subjected to a fine equivalent to his or her expenditure or Rs. 500,000, whichever is more.

The EC has begun the process of taking action against candidates.  The commission has sought clarifications from the candidates who have not disclosed the details of their expenses incurred in the local elections. 

The Election Office, Saptari, informed that if the political parties and candidates were unable to submit the details of expenses to the office designated by the EC by appearing themselves, they could also send their representatives.