A petition in the Supreme Court urges the Election Commission to regulate political parties, citing “bogus” outfits appointing criminals and misusing donations. The plea demands transparency, accountability, and stricter laws.
The Indian government approved printing Rs 10,000 crore worth of electoral bonds just before the Supreme Court scrapped the scheme as unconstitutional. The approval and subsequent printing, handled by the Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India, sparked discussions on the transparency of political financing. Following the ruling, the Finance Ministry directed the State Bank of India to cease printing remaining electoral bonds. The scheme’s anonymity has divided opinions on political donation transparency in India.
The Supreme Court’s recent invalidation of the electoral bonds scheme highlights the balance between privacy and transparency in political funding. The decision emphasizes the crucial role of judicial review in safeguarding fundamental rights and underscores the significance of public access to information about political contributions. This ruling signifies the evolving nature of law and democracy.
On sunday (17th March): The Election Commission of India disclosed details about electoral bonds, revealing significant financial flows to political parties. The data lacks donor identities, maintaining anonymity in political funding. The Supreme Court’s recent ruling challenges the secrecy of the scheme and advocates for more transparency in political party funding, sparking discussions about regulation.