Wake Up, Election Commission: Curb the Soaring Cost of Elections

Nepal's election system has been central to its democratic transition since the adoption of the 2015 Constitution, which established a federal democratic republic. However, the system faces serious challenges—particularly high costs and widespread corruption—that undermine its fairness and integrity. Heavy reliance on private donations and a lack of transparency in campaign financing have created a vicious cycle: candidates incur huge expenses and often resort to corrupt practices to recover these costs. This article explores ways to reform Nepal's election system to ensure fair, transparent, and cost-free elections for candidates, focusing on solutions such as public financing and other proposed reforms.