Strives to create level playing field, bring down election expenditure
KATHMANDU, AUGUST 30
The election code of conduct issued by the Election Commission yesterday contains some new provisions which, if implemented sincerely, could help create level playing field for all candidates and bring down election expenditure.
The 83-page election code of conduct makes it mandatory for candidates contesting under the first-past-the post system to submit property details along with their application for candidacy with the details of their expected expenditure and source thereof. Candidates will also have to submit their bio-data, which the EC will publish in the course of election process, to help voters make informed choices.
The code of conduct also mandates parties and candidates to run their election programmes only for 17 days after filing candidacy. This effectively means that candidates will get 15 days for campaigning, as canvassing has to stop 48 hours before the election day.
Assistant Spokesperson for the EC Surya Prasad Aryal told THT that the EC incorporated new provisions in the election code of conduct keeping in mind the public's genuine concerns about the fairness of election process.
"Many people complained that election campaign period should be shortened if we want to control election expenditure.
So we decided to limit the period to 17 days," Aryal said.
"Many people complained that parties and candidates spent huge amount of money for organising mass meetings. So we decided to seek expenditure details within seven days of such meetings," he added.
The code also prohibits prime minister and ministers from campaigning in constituencies other than their own. The EC believes that this will help create a level playing field. Former election commissioner Ila Sharma said ministers wielded power and influence that could unduly influence election results. "Ministers can use government resources and if they are allowed to go anywhere to campaign for their parties' candidates, that will be unfair," Sharma added.
Sharma supported the EC decision to limit the election campaign period to 17 days, saying that many candidates had suggested that the EC should shorten the campaign period. In the last parliamentary and provincial elections, the EC had given candidates 30 days for election campaigning.
Highlights
• Parties and candidates organising mass meetings will have to give expenditure details to the EC within seven days of holding meetings
• Candidates barred from organising feasts after winning
• Prime minister and ministers barred from campaigning in constituencies other than their own
• Candidates won't be able to take more than 25 people along in door-to-door campaign
• Candidates will have to carry out all their election expenditure through the banking system and will have to designate a person to run their bank accounts for election purposes
A version of this article appears in the print on August 31, 2022 of The Himalayan Times.
