The Election Commission of Bhutan, as required under the Public Election Fund Act of the Kingdom of Bhutan, 2008 (PEF Act 2008) herein informs the general public that the Report on the State Finance and Election Returns pertaining to the Election Campaign for the National Assembly Elections, 2023-24 is hereby being released for public information. The Accounts thereof are available for public inspection as per the above PEF Act 2008 and a copy of the report may be accessed from the link below.
For the Primary Round of Elections, a total amount of Nu. 35,250,000.00/- (Nu. 7,050,000/- each) was transferred to the Election Campaign Bank Accounts of the five Political Parties whose Letter of Intent was accepted by the Election Commission. For the General Elections, Nu.14,100,000/- was similarly disbursed to 94 candidates of the Bhutan Tendrel Party and People’s Democratic Party in the 47 constituencies.
The summary details of the State Funds and in-kind Sponsorship for the election campaign, provided under the Laws, are presented in the Table below:
Categories of Campaign Expenditure
| Overall Expenditure incurred from State Funding for the Parliamentary Elections 2023-24 | |||
| Sl. No | State Financing | Expenditure | |
| Primary Round | General Elections | ||
| 1 | Campaign Fund (Fund Disbursed –Fund Refunded) | 33,056,742.33 | 13,908,609.34 |
| 2 | Audio Visual advertisement (Radio and TV) | 676,600.00 | 3,740,300.00 |
| 3 | Supplement Page | 175,000.00 | 3,925,920.00 |
| 4 | Printing of Banners | 50,525.00 | 20,210.00 |
| 5 | Printing of Posters | 28,200.00 | 27,120.00 |
| 6 | Printing of Placards | 74,025.00 | 142,380.00 |
| Total Cost | 34,061,092.33 | 21,764,539.34 | |
| 7 | Average cost per Party/Candidate | 6,812,218.47 | 231,537.65 |
| Total Expenditure for National Assembly Election 2023-24 | 55,825,631.67 | ||
The overall expenditure incurred on campaign fund and sponsored activities for the Primary Round and the General Election is Nu. 55,825,631.67/-. On average, a total amount of Nu. 6,812,218.47/- and Nu.231, 537.65 /- were spent on each Political Party for the Primary Round and Candidate in the General Elections respectively.
Scrutiny of the Parties’ and Candidate’s Election Returns was initially carried out by the Public Election Fund Division of the Election Commission of Bhutan and some highlights are as follows:
1.The Parties and Candidates spent maximum Campaign Funds on hiring Vehicles and Daily Subsistence Allowance for Candidates and their Representatives;
2. Expenditure was found to be generally in line with the permissible activities. Inconsistencies in a few Election Returns were observed and necessary follow-up was carried out with the concerned;
3. A total of Nu.2,193,257.67/- unspent funds was returned by the five Political Parties during the Primary Round. Similarly, 55 candidates returned a total of Nu. 191,390.66/- unspent funds during the General Elections; and
4. Besides the state funding, the political parties and candidates had incurred expenditure from the party’s own funds which were within the permissible activities and limit.
The Royal Audit Authority audited the Election Returns of the National Assembly Elections starting on the 13th of March, 2024 and issued the report on the 21st of June, 2024.
Chief Election Commissioner of Bhutan
