Speakers at a program have stressed the need for providing grants to the political parties so that elections would not be costly.

In the virtual program organised by Nepal Law Society Kathmandu focusing on Karnali Province, the speakers expressed concern over the elections getting costlier every time.

During the discussion, former law secretary Rajuman Singh Malla made a presentation on the provision of grants to political parties and the expenditure report of 2074 BS at local, state, and federal levels. He said, “The election expenditure in the local elections of 2074 BS has been Rs 6.64 billion, the expenditure of candidates and their supporters have been Rs 5.9 billion, government expenditure has been Rs 1.84 billion, and the per capita expenditure has been Rs 4.92 billion.”.

Similarly, in the last election for the province and federal levels, Rs 4.4 billion was spent. The candidates and their supporters spent Rs 9.69 billion. “If such a hefty amount was used for the country’s development, it would be a huge achievement for us,” he added, arguing that election policy needs huge reform.

On the occasion, former chief commissioner of Election Commission, Dr Ayodhee Prasad Yadav, also reminded that the Office of the Auditor-General had not audited the expenditure made in the 2074 elections yet. Grant was needed for political parties but transparent spending is a must to curb corruption, he stressed.

Member of Legislative Management Committee at National Assembly, Thagendra Prakash Puri, said a political party cannot run merely on levy so a certain amount of grant was essential. “Political parties must stop collecting donations for election. A clear law on reforming electoral spending is imperative for Nepal,” he added.