The latest social media posts point to a public discussion: QR-driven terror and non- transparent financial activities of MP Harka Sampang and his Shram Sanskriti Party. People have been raising questions about repeated collection and non-transparent

utilisation of funds, and demanding a financial audit report from Harka Sampangs team. These questions are in response to rightful demands for accountability in political financing, rather than personal attacks.

Sitting Member of Parliament Harka Sampang has encouraged personal QR code- based donations for party activities and projects as chairman of the Shram Sanskriti Party. During his tenure as mayor of Dharan, too, substantial funds were raised, withreports of more than Rs 70 million for water projects through personal or affiliated accounts, bypassing transparency. Independent audits have not been conducted; hence, the lack of auditing is a major blind spot, despite the promises of “shram dan”

(labour donation) and transparency. Critics such as Dr. Sandesh Lamsal and former government secretary Bhim Prasad Upadhyaya have been the most vocal. They have pointed out the malpractices of Harka Sampang many times for escaping publicdisclosure and reconciliation of inflows and expenditures.

Violation of Law and Constitution

The Political Parties Act 2017 lays down clear guidelines on donations in Nepal. Section 38 states that to accept donations greater than NPR 25,000, they must go through the banking system; information should be provided in full for any donation exceeding NPR

25,000. Parties are directed to maintain good accounts, refrain from collecting funds in cash, carry out regular clearings, and deliver audit reports. There is no independent, robust monitoring, nor an independent public report. The use of personal QR codes for the collection of donations directly contradicts these principles because they are not rigorously overseen, there is no independent, robust monitoring system, and there is no independent public report.

This is also reiterated in the Constitution of Nepal, 2015. Under the provisions of Article 87, MPs cannot be quelled if convicted of offences with a moral implication or commitments or violations of federal law. Article 56 and related provisions highlight the importance of good governance, transparency and accountability in public life. The reality of the squeeze on clean politics through non-transparent funding practices also risks disqualifying politicians for misuse of public trust. The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has the mandate to investigate such irregularities and review the International Standards on Financial Transparency.

International Standards on Financial Transparency The Nepal Convention and its commitments to UN conventions, such as the UN

Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), contain very clear benchmarks that Nepal must comply with:

FATF Recommendations call for disclosure of beneficial ownership, prevention of anonymous and untraceable transactions and careful monitoring of politically exposed persons (PEPs) to mitigate money laundering and terrorist financing risks. Personal QR-

based appeals that do not involve complete public tracking and audit trails don't meet these standards anywhere in the world.

Policies of the Council of Europe and the OECD require transparency to political donations over set minimum amounts, independent auditing and transparency to avoid corruption and undue influence.

No compliance subjects parties and leaders to greater scrutiny, which can lead to black listing risks for the financial system of Nepal and can result in loss of public confidence.

Expectation of consequences and a demand for action Opaque funding allows for behind-the-scenes influence, undermines voter confidence and tarnishes democratic competition. If an MP and a national party chairperson can use such techniques, then it creates a dangerous precedent that it is  to do whatever is necessary without any consequences. Shram Sanskriti Party, its leadership, and its supporters involved in such collections should be immediately subjected to an independent investigation by the CIAA, Election Commission and the Auditor General. Complete forensic audits of all QR and related donations must be undertaken, and public disclosure of sources, uses, and discrepancies must be made.

If violations are found, Harka Sampang shall be disqualified from being an MP under the provisions of the constitution regarding moral turpitude and breaching of the law. Political parties must maintain that they adhere to the rule of law and must not claim to have an exception from it because they are "transparent and voluntary.

There’s a clear precedent in Nepal and South Asia. Former officials and leaders who  have resigned and/or been prosecuted for cooperative fraud include higher-profile officials such as Punjab Railways Chairman Shah Ammam and Sindhs Roadways Corporation Manager Mohammad Azam Dangut. Multiple leaders have been disqualified or investigated under similar transparency laws in India for electoral funding violations. Nepal needs to do the same rigour in the home country.

Prominent individuals such as Dr. Sandesh Lamsal and Bhim Prasad Upadhyaya have been demanding a swift, independent investigation and stringent action against Harka Sampang and his party. Their continuous demand for complete audit reports, strict

adherence to the Political Parties Act and constitutional accountability reflect responsible civic engagement. Broader civil society and media must amplify these voices to ensure no one, regardless of populist image, is above the law.

It is now or never for Nepal to move towards a democracy. The Election Commission, CIAA and the Parliament should conduct prompt, comprehensive investigations. Otherwise, the culture of using QR codes for non-transparent donation continues, and public confidence is lost. Transparency is not a luxury its the basis for political legitimacy.