Poll Expense Transparency

Free and fair election is the kernel of democratic dispensation. Poll provides legitimacy to the governance system through the people's participation in the vital political process. It offers the political parties, civic groups and other related associations opportunity to mobilise their supporters as well as the masses to create alternative forums to advance their cause. During the polls, the citizens do not only exercise their rights to vote but they also have opportunity to acquaint with the ideology, policy and programmes of the contesting political parties and candidates. People prefer those candidates who win their trust in addressing their genuine problems facing on the daily basis. Informed voters do not only cast votes just to fulfil their immediate needs, they also pick candidates known for their vision for development, security and protection of nationality.

However, the electoral process requires adhering to accountability, transparency and impartiality. While the election commission should have greater amount of autonomy to hold polls in a fair and fearless environment, the political parties must follow the poll code of conduct and associated laws. Candidates’ fiscal integrity is crucial for ensuring the level playing field wherein they contest the polls as per the same set of rules and regulations. Candidates should spend money within the expenditure ceiling set by the election management body. Excessive poll spending undermines the fairness of electioneering and raises suspicion about the motive of candidates. The polls have become so costly that those lacking fiscal muscle do not have chance to get ticket from the political parties. The use of undisclosed sources by some candidates during the poll campaigning does not make it a true democratic exercise. Rather, such unfair practice will give rise to corruption, crime, misrule and instability in the country.  

Nepal’s Election Commission (EC) has been strictly implementing the Election Act that obliges the candidates to spend the money within the fixed ceiling during the poll campaign and submit the details of poll expenses within thirty days of the publication of the final results of the election. According to a news report published in this daily on Wednesday, the EC has imposed a fine of Rs. 15,000 each on 2,435 candidates, including federal ministers and national political figures for not disclosing the details of their expenses made in the elections held last November. Around 1,037 candidates of the House of Representatives (HoR) and 1,398 of Provincial Assembly polls have been slapped penalty.

Those leaders fined include four federal ministers – Minister for Foreign Affairs NP Saud, Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security Sarat Singh Bhandari, Minister for Water Supply Mahendra Raya Yadav and Minister for Forest and Environment Birendra Prasad Mahato. Likewise, Nepali Congress general secretary Gagan Thapa, Janata Samajbadi Party-Nepal chairman Upendra Yadav, Loktantrik Samajbadi Party chairman Mahantha Thakur, former Speaker Onsari Gharti Magar, NC chief Whip Ramesh Lekhak and Ratsriya Prajatantra Party vice chair Rabindra Mishra. Earlier, the EC had instructed them to present their expenditure reports within April 19 to 25. As per the Election Commission Act, 2073 (2017), if they fail to pay the imposed fine within six months, they will be disqualified to appear as a candidate in any election for a maximum period of six years. It is a matter of concern that even senior leaders are found to have flouted the poll law. A robust electoral system gains ground if the parties and their leaders maintain accountability and stick to election regulation.