Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: A majority of candidates in Kathmandu have opened separate bank accounts for election expenses as required by the Election Commission (EC).
As of Wednesday, 219 out of 250 candidates in Kathmandu have opened bank accounts for election expenses.
According to the District Election Office, Kathmandu, a total of 250 candidates have filed nominations and are actively campaigning across 10 constituencies in Kathmandu for the House of Representatives elections scheduled for March 5.
The EC directed political parties and candidates on February 15 not to spend election funds only through banks or financial institutions. Although the provision is clearly stated in the Election Code of Conduct, 2025, not all candidates in the capital have opened separate bank accounts yet.
According to EC, candidates receiving financial support exceeding Rs 25,000 must open a separate bank account and conduct all transactions through that account. The EC has also stated that candidates must submit original bills, receipts, and bank account details if required.
Depending on geographical location, candidates are allowed to spend between Rs 2.5 million and Rs 3.3 million on their campaigns.
EC has said that its officials will track how funds are spent from bank accounts opened by the candidates for the elections.
A total of 3,406 candidates are contesting for 165 seats in the House of Representatives from the first-past-the-post system.
Only 1,389 of them have opened separate bank accounts so far, according to Assistant EC Spokesperson Kul Bahadur GC.
