Kathmandu : The number of candidates opening bank accounts for the upcoming House of Representatives (HoR) polls has gradually increased.

The Election Commission (EC) has made a mandatory provision for candidates to open accounts in the bank and financial institutions (BFIs) to keep records of entire financial transactions of candidates for the election purpose.

As of now, 671 candidates have submitted their bank accounts to the EC, according to the EC’s Joint Secretary and Spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai.

As per the election laws, the political parties and candidates contesting the HoR elections scheduled for March 5 should spend their money only through the banking channel, a tool to ensure transparency in electoral spending.

Secretary at the EC, Krishna Bahadur Raut, said that some candidates from the remote districts including Kalikot have already submitted their bank account at the EC and expected the candidates from other districts to open and submit their bank account details.