The Election Commission of Bhutan, as required under the Public Election Fund Act of the Kingdom of Bhutan, 2008 herein informs the general public that the Report on the State Finance and Election Returns pertaining to the Election Campaign for the Bye-Election of Nubi_Tangsibji Demkhong under Trongsa Dzongkhag,2025 is hereby being released for public information. The Accounts thereof is available for public inspection as per the Public Election Fund Act of Kingdom of Bhutan, 2008 and a copy of the Report may be accessed at www.ecb.bt
A total amount of Nu. 300,000/-was disbursed to the two contesting candidates with a cash amount of Nu. 150,000/- provided to each candidate. Besides the state funds, in-kind sponsorship of campaign materials and media access were also provided to ensure an effective election campaign.
The summary details of the state funds and in-kind sponsorship for the election campaign, provided under the Laws are presented in Table below:
Table: Categories of Campaign Expenditure
| Sl. No. | State Provisions for Election Campaign | Amount (Nu) |
| 1 | Campaign Fund (Fund Disbursed –Fund Refunded) | 300,000.00 |
| 2 | Audio Visual advertisement (Radio and TV) | 85,000.00 |
| 3 | Supplement Page (Print media) | 35,000.00 |
| 4 | Printing of Banners | 1815.00 |
| 5 | Printing of Posters | |
| 6 | Printing of Placards | |
| Total Cost | 422,615.00 | |
| 7 | Average cost per Party/Candidate | 211,307.50 |
The overall expenditure incurred on campaign fund and sponsored activities for the Bye-Election is Nu. 422,615/-. On an average, a total amount of Nu. 211,307.50 /- was spent by each candidate.
On scrutinization, the findings of the candidate’s Election Returns are as follows:
1.Around 48% of the total campaign fund was spent on hiring of vehicles, 43% on daily subsistence allowance for candidates and their representatives and about 9% in other miscellaneous expenditures.
2. While campaign materials were also provided in-kind, candidates have incurred additional expenditure on advertisement, especially on print media.
3. Variations were noted in the expenditure patterns and amounts incurred by the two candidates to meet their campaign expenses. However, all expenditures were within the permissible categories as specified under Section 77 of the Public Election Fund Act of the Kingdom of Bhutan, 2008.
4. The Election Returns were cross-verified with the fortnightly expenditure reports submitted by the candidates to the National Observers and were found to be consistent.
5. The Royal Audit Authority issued the audited report on the Election Returns of the Bye-Election via letter No. RAA/GCD/AR/05/ECB/2025-2026/756 dated 30th October 2025. No audit observations were reported.
Chief Election Commissioner of Bhutan
