Kathmandu, February 26

The Election Commission today decided not to let a candidate spend more than Rs 700,000 in the local level election.

According to a source privy to the EC meeting held today, the decision was taken during an EC meeting with 113 political parties registered with the commission regarding the election code of conduct.

The source clarified that only candidates vying for the post of metropolitan city chief could spend Rs 7 lakh for campaigning and even they would have to show the source of the amount spent to the commission.  Candidates in sub-metropolitan cities, municipalities and village bodies will have smaller ceiling on poll expenditure.

As per the new code of conduct, candidates vying for local body ward commissioner will be allowed to spend up to Rs 50,000 for election campaign.

EC’s Spokesperson Surya Prasad Sharma said candidates vying for metropolitan city chief could use up to two four-wheelers and two two-wheelers for campaigning.

Candidates for other local bodies posts can use one-four wheeler and a two-wheeler for campaigning.

“We’ll soon publish the election code of conduct in the Nepal Gazette,” said EC’s Communication Officer Surya Prasad Aryal. He said suggestions of the political parties would be included in the new code of conduct.

According to Aryal, the EC and political parties have agreed to form a separate monitoring committee to curb violation of conduct code.

He said action would be taken against candidates found spending more than the set limit.

The EC has also asked parties to get registered with the commission until Wednesday so that they could take part in local level election.

The EC has asked the parties to register their respective party’s full name, short name, the date on which they were established, address of head office, mailing address, telephone number, email address and the party’s website.

The parties have also been told to inform the EC about the date of their last general convention, their organisational structure, number of central office bearers and party members, annual audit report and dates of central-, provincial- and district- level polls.

The EC has also asked the parties to register with it the sample of their authorised stamp, flag and the letter given by their respective party’s central executives, authorising the party’s representatives to register their party in the commission.

The commission has also decided to print poll-related materials and ballot papers at Janak Shiksha Samagri Kendra Ltd’s press.