Kathmandu, Nepal, March 9, 2026: In a significant move toward political transparency, Balendra Shah (Balen), a senior leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), has officially submitted the expenditure details of his recent election campaign to the concerned election office. Shah, who was elected as a Member of the House of Representatives from Jhapa District Constituency No. 5, reported a total expenditure of 1,417,289 rupees. By filing his financial disclosure shortly after the conclusion of the polls, he has distinguished himself as the first candidate to fulfill this post-election requirement.
The public disclosure comes at a time when the cost of electioneering in Nepal is frequently under fire, often marred by allegations of overspending and lack of accountability. According to his supporters, Shah’s decision to make his expenses public is an effort to demonstrate that those holding or seeking public office must remain open and accountable to the citizenry. They noted that the move is rooted in the democratic principle that both the actions and the finances of a representative should be accessible to the public.
A detailed breakdown of the 15-day campaign reveals that the largest portion of the budget was allocated to grassroots outreach, with 5.8 lakh rupees spent on ward-level publicity programs. Logistics also played a major role in the budget; the campaign utilized two rented vehicles for a total of 293,800 rupees including fuel, while five separate air trips accounted for 35,000 rupees. Additionally, the team spent 28,970 rupees on refreshments for participants during voter training sessions, emphasizing a focus on direct community engagement.
The financial report further highlights the operational costs of maintaining a campaign presence. Shah reported spending 120,000 rupees on water supply for the election office over two months, along with 22,820 rupees for stationery such as paper and pens. Promotional materials, including the printing of flags, badges, banners, and stickers, cost approximately 276,849 rupees, while the printing of mock ballot papers added another 49,850 rupees to the total. The formal nomination registration fee of 10,000 rupees was also included in the final tally.
The comprehensive document was formally filed at the election office under the signature of his election representative, Nabin Bhandari. By laying out these figures, Shah’s campaign aims to set a precedent for financial clarity in the federal landscape, challenging the traditional opacity often associated with high-stakes political contests.
