KATHMANDU, Feb 5: The Election Commission of Nepal has issued the “Election Campaign Bank Account Operation and Management Procedure, 2025,” aiming to route all campaign spending by political parties and candidates during the general election entirely through the banking system.
The Commission approved the procedure at its meeting on February 1. In a press release, it said the rule is based on Sections 24 and 50 of the Election Commission Act, 2017, Clause 16 of the Election Code of Conduct, 2025, a Commission decision dated January 21, and a directive issued by Nepal Rastra Bank on January 25.
According to the Commission, the central bank’s Banking and Financial Institutions Regulation Department has instructed licensed Class A, B, and C banks and financial institutions to support the move, with the aim of making election related financial transactions transparent and disciplined.
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The procedure applies to all political parties registered with the Commission and contesting the House of Representatives election under both proportional representation and first past the post systems, as well as their candidates and independent candidates. All donations, contributions, and campaign expenses must be conducted through a dedicated bank account. The measure discourages cash transactions and requires clear records of all income and expenditure.
Under the rule, political parties must obtain a recommendation from the Election Commission secretariat to open campaign bank accounts, while candidates must receive recommendations from their respective district election offices. Accounts may be opened only at designated banks and financial institutions based on these recommendations. The procedure also sets provisions on account operation, transaction limits, reporting requirements, and monitoring.
The Commission has directed all election offices under it, along with banks and financial institutions, to carry out necessary actions in line with the procedure. Political parties, their candidates, and independent candidates have been urged to actively cooperate and coordinate to ensure effective implementation.
Linking campaign spending to the modern banking system marks the start of a more regulated approach, the Commission said, adding that the move would strengthen public trust in the election process.
The step is seen as an effort to improve election expense management. In past elections, concerns grew over unclear spending details, heavy cash use, and breaches of spending limits. The Commission believes bank-based transactions will make it easier to identify funding sources, track expenses, and conduct audits later.
