Do not to make election campaigning extravagant: CEC Yadav

Kathmandu / Apr. 18: Chief Election Commissioner Dr Ayodhi Prasad Yadav has urged the political parties not to make the election campaigning extravagant and costly, and maintain financial transparency by abiding by the election code of conduct.

During a discussion with the officials from the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Nepal Chamber of Commerce and Confederation of Nepalese Industry at the Election Commission on Tuesday, CEC Yadav said, “Election Commission was firm against extravagant and costly election campaigning. So, the donation seeking and receiving should not breach the code of conduct.”

He directed the Anti-Money Laundering Department and Revenue Investigation Department to monitor the expense of the political parties and leaders. Assistance from all sides was essential to make the election free and fair, the CEC added.

A total of 80 political parties, including those representing in the Legislature-Parliament, have filed registration at EC for their participation in the local-level election.

Similarly, Election Commissioner Ila Sharma said a new provision was in place for the transparency of donation from industrialists and entrepreneurs to the parties.

The expenses made within election code of conduct help make election meaningful and the democracy more functional, said EC Secretary Gopinath Mainali.

On the occasion, FNCCI Vice-Chairman Umesh Kumar Shrestha viewed that State itself could financially assist the political parties based on the votes they got in the previous election.

Nepal Chamber of Commerce General Secretary Kamalesh Kumar Agrawal expressed if there were anyone suffering from donation spree during elections, these are the industrialists.

Chairman of the Confederation Hari Bhakta Sharma wondered why the industrialists could not mention the donation they provided in cheque as their expenses in the budget. RSS