The Election Commission has set the maximum expenditure limit of Rs. 750,000 for the candidates vying for the post of mayor and deputy-mayor of metropolitan cities in local polls to be held in single phase on May 13.
In a meeting with representatives of various political parties on Friday, the Election Commission (EC) informed them about its decision to put a Rs. 75,000 cap on poll expenditure for candidates of mayor and deputy-mayor of metropolis.
Similarly, the EC has fixed Rs. 550,000 expenditure limit for candidates of mayor and deputy mayor of sub-metropolitan cities, Rs. 450,000 and Rs. 350,000 expenditure ceiling for those vying for posts of chief and deputy-chief of municipalities and rural municipalities, the EC said. During the meeting, some political parties said that the expenditure limit set by the commission for candidates was not practical and demanded to increase the expenditure limit as per the changing times.
Commission spokesperson Shaligram Sharma Poudel said, “Most of the parties have responded positively, while some have demanded to increase the expenditure limit to suit the times.”
The maximum expenditure limit for the candidates of chiefs and deputy-chiefs of local polls is the same as set in the previous local level election.
Talking to media persons after the meeting, CPN (Maoist Centre) leader Lilamani Pokharel said, “There is no precedent for taking action against those who exceed the limit of expenditure set by the election office. We have demanded to form a mechanism to monitor.”
He further informed that during the meeting some party representatives have expressed their views that the chief and deputy-chief of local bodies should be allowed to spend up to Rs. 20 million.
At the meeting, Dalit Janajati Party Chairman Bishwendra Paswan objected to the failure of the commission to take action even though the candidates were found spending more than the limit.
Similarly, the candidates of ward chairperson and members of metropolis, sub-metropolitan cities, municipalities and rural municipalities can spend a maximum Rs.300,000, Rs. 250,000, Rs. 200,000 and Rs. 150,000 respectively.
In the election of the district coordination committee, the expenses incurred by the chief have been reduced.
According to the commission, the chief and deputy-chief will be allowed to spend Rs. 50,000 and the members only Rs. 25,000.
Spokesperson Poudel further informed the smaller parties were positive about the election symbols.
Quoting Chief Commissioner Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya, spokesperson Poudel said, “We are consulting with experts on the demand of small parties to get election symbols. After the consultation, an alternative option will be given.”
The commission is consulting with experts on legal issues. Chief Commissioner Thapaliya had also sought the opinion on what can be done regarding the election symbol.
The Local Level Election Act, 2073 BS and Political Parties Regulation, 2074 BS have provision that only nationally recognized parties can get their own election symbol in the election.
Total 79 parties have registered to participate in the forthcoming local level election. In the current situation, 73 parties will not get their own election symbols.
Poudel said there was a general discussion about the colour of the ballot paper, as two political parties have opposed the EC’s decision to change the colour of the ballot paper.
The EC also clarified the reason behind changing the colour of the ballot paper and election symbol.
Source : RSS,
