Parties, election candidates mandated for using banking system for economic transactions: Bhandari

Kathmandu, Jan 27: Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari has said that political parties participating in the upcoming election to the House of Representatives (HoR) and their candidates are mandated to use the banking system for all financial transactions.     

During an interaction with an umbrella organisation of the private sector here on Tuesday, in view of the March 5 election, Bhandari urged political parties and candidates not to conduct economic transactions in cash. He warned that violation of this provision is punishable by law.     

He also used the forum to say that the election has been supported by all quarters to prevent the nation from facing further crisis and to bring it back on track in the aftermath of the September 8–9 Gen Z movement. He acknowledged the role of the media and the business community in creating an election-friendly atmosphere.     

“An election is the prime need of the nation to establish good governance and durable peace,” he said, expressing confidence that it will be held on the scheduled date.     

Bhandari further said that the Election Commission (EC) had earlier written to the Home Ministry expressing concern over the misuse of the national flag, following which the Home Ministry called for respect for the national flag accordingly.     

“A violation of the election code of conduct will be dealt with by law,” he added.     

Stressing the need to facilitate election observers, including foreign observers, during the election, he called for cooperation from the private sector in this regard.     

EC Secretary Krishna Bahadur Raut said support from the private sector is expected for the effective implementation of the election code of conduct. Stating that the election is necessary for stabilising democracy, he said the election is expected to cost around Rs 31 billion and will help make the economy vibrant.(RSS)