President Bidya Devi Bhandari waived the fine imposed by the Election Commission on the candidates of the local level elections of 13 May 2023, on 17 February.
According to Leelakant Paudel, the Assistant Spokesperson of the President’s Office, President waived off the fine following Article 276 of The Constitution of Nepal as per the recommendation of the Cabinet of Ministers of Nepal, on 16 February.
The meeting of the Election Commission held on 15 June 2022, decided that the candidates who do not submit the expenditure details within 30 days from the date of announcement of the election results will not be allowed to run for elections for the next 6 years unless they pay a fine within 6 months.
Mayor Balendra Shah of Kathmandu Metropolitan City had filed a writ against the decision made by the Election Commission. The Supreme Court issued an internal order in the name of the Election Commission not to collect immediate fines from the 123 thousand 650 candidates who did not submit election expenditure details on time on 15 February.