Spending Limits for HoR Candidates Remain Unchanged

The Election Commission (EC) has kept the spending limits for candidates contesting the House of Representatives (HoR) election scheduled for March 5, 2026 unchanged. The ceiling remains between Rs 2.5 million and Rs 3.3 million, the same as in 2022.

On Monday, December 29, the commission announced the expenditure limits for candidates contesting under both the first-past-the-post and proportional representation systems. The country’s 165 constituencies have been grouped into five categories based on remoteness and accessibility.

According to the EC, candidates in five Kathmandu constituencies—Kathmandu-1, 3, 6, 7, and 8—are allowed to spend up to Rs 2.5 million.

Candidates in 17 constituencies have been assigned a ceiling of Rs 2.7 million. Those in 65 constituencies can spend up to Rs 2.9 million.

Similarly, candidates in 52 constituencies are permitted to spend up to Rs 3.1 million. Candidates in 26 constituencies have a ceiling of Rs 3.3 million.

Constituencies with a Rs 3.1 million limit include Jhapa-5 and Dadeldhura-1, from where CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli and Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba won HoR seats in 2022.

EC Spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai said candidates must open a separate bank or financial institution account solely for election expenses. All campaign spending must be carried out through this account. Officials responsible for campaign expenditure are required to submit detailed financial statements, including the candidate’s name, to the respective election officer.

Under the House of Representatives Election Act, candidates must stay within the prescribed limits. They must submit a detailed report of election expenses within 35 days of the declaration of results. However, previous studies show that candidates often exceed the allowed ceiling. Experts say this has contributed to policy corruption and favouritism.

The commission has already issued an election code of conduct. It prohibits candidates from engaging in extravagant campaigning.