The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has announced that the government will finance the March 5, 2026 elections using internal resources, without relying on donor assistance. The Election Commission (EC) has already begun preparations to conduct the polls on schedule.
Speaking at a meeting with newly elected members of the Society of Economic Journalists-Nepal (SEJON), Finance Minister Rameshore Khanal said necessary funds would be managed through austerity measures and cuts in unproductive spending.
According to the EC, the 2022 federal and provincial elections cost Rs 7 billion, which was Rs 3 billion less than initially estimated. Minister Khanal stated that while the government previously spent Rs 25 billion to conduct elections across all three tiers of government, this time expenses could rise slightly due to the need to rebuild structures damaged during the violence that followed the Gen Z movement.
Khanal also highlighted the government’s plan to cancel projects not listed in the official project bank, which could save around Rs 110 billion. Additionally, projects that have not yet commenced will be removed from the budget system, and Rs 12 billion is expected to be saved by slashing allocations for seminars and conventions.
Meanwhile, the MoF is preparing to present a Business Recovery Plan to the Council of Ministers for final approval. The plan, developed in consultation with stakeholders, envisions establishing a fund to assist families of those killed, rebuild public infrastructure, and support the private sector in recovering from recent unrest.
“While most of these expenses will be covered through the government budget, crowdfunding may be mobilized if additional resources are required,” Minister Khanal noted.
