Supreme Court Declares Electoral Bonds Scheme Unconstitutional
- ByAdmin --
- 20 May 2025 --
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In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court has declared the Electoral Bonds Scheme unconstitutional, stating that it infringes upon the fundamental right of voters to access information regarding political funding. The decision has sparked widespread discussion, as the scheme had been in place since 2018 and played a major role in political financing.
This ruling is expected to reshape how political parties receive funding and increase accountability in the electoral system. It highlights the importance of transparency in democracy, ensuring that voters have the right to know who is funding political campaigns.
What Was the Electoral Bonds Scheme?
• Launched in 2018, the scheme allowed individuals and corporations to donate anonymously to political parties.
• The government defended the scheme as a means to reduce cash donations and make political financing cleaner.
• However, critics argued that it lacked transparency and enabled large corporate entities to exert influence over political parties without public scrutiny.
• Under this system, political parties were not obligated to disclose donor details, leading to concerns about corruption and favoritism.
Key Aspects of the Verdict
• The Supreme Court ruled that transparency in political funding is a fundamental requirement in a democracy.
• It emphasized that secrecy in donations can lead to undue corporate influence over government policies.
• The verdict mandated that the State Bank of India disclose all details of donors and recipients under the scheme.
• The judgment reinforced the principle that the electoral process should remain free from hidden financial interests that could compromise governance.
Implications
• Increased Transparency – Political funding will now be subject to more public scrutiny, reducing anonymous contributions.
• Accountability in Elections – Voters will have a clearer picture of the financial backing behind political parties, enabling them to make more informed choices.
• Impact on Political Donations – The ruling may lead to the development of new laws ensuring stricter regulations on corporate and individual donations.
• Corporate Influence Reduction – Companies will no longer be able to secretly fund parties in exchange for potential policy favors.
• Democratic Strengthening – The decision reinforces the need for open, fair elections and ensures that financial power does not dictate political outcomes.
Conclusion
This Supreme Court ruling marks a significant step toward transparent electoral funding. By striking down the scheme, the judiciary has reinforced democratic accountability and safeguarded the rights of voters. Political parties will now need to adapt to a more open financing system, leading to greater fairness in the democratic process.
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