Valley
Election body to take action for non-compliance
The Election Commission (EC) is preparing to take action against 151 parties for failing to submit their income and expenditure details to the election body despite repeated requests.Of the 179 parties registered with the election body, only 28 parties have submitted their financial details so far. The EC had extended the deadline for the submission of financial details until January 29.
“Despite our repeated requests, very few parties submitted their financial details. The defiant parties will face action according to the law,” said Lila Gadtaula, EC’s legal chief. Legally, the parties have to submit income and expenditures to the election body within six months after the expiry of the fiscal year.
According to Gatdtaula, the EC’s upcoming board meeting will decided about the nature of action.
The Election Commission Act-2006 mandates the election body to cancel the registration of any party that fails to furnish the details for three consecutive years.
EC’s legal chief said the commission was studying into the matters before taking action against those who disregarded the laws and regulations. The law mandated the commission to fine Rs 100, if a party was found to be in violation of the rule for the first time.
Corruption watchdogs consider political parties as one of the most corrupt institution in Nepal. The Global Survey called Global Corruption Barometer released by Transparency International has named Nepal’s political parties as the most corrupt institution, followed by the public officials, parliament and judiciary.
Political parties, which are still under the scanner of anti-graft body due to government’s reluctance to amend domestic law in accordance with the United Nations Convention against Corruption, are unregulated entities.