The Election Commission of India (ECI) has taken a significant step towards transparency by releasing fresh data on electoral bonds, in compliance with the Supreme Court’s directives. The newly disclosed information sheds light on electoral funding before April 12, 2019, providing valuable insights into the financial dynamics of political parties.
According to the ECI, political parties had previously submitted data on electoral bonds in sealed covers following the Supreme Court’s interim order in April 2019. However, the details remained undisclosed until now. The recent release comes after the Supreme Court’s order on March 15, 2024, instructing the ECI to make the information publicly available.
In its statement, the ECI clarified that the data received from political parties was initially deposited with the Supreme Court without being opened. Following the court’s latest directive, the Registry of the Supreme Court returned physical copies of the data along with a digitized record on a pen drive. Subsequently, the ECI uploaded this digitized information onto its website, making it accessible to the public.
This move marks a significant stride towards promoting transparency and accountability in electoral funding. By making the data on electoral bonds available to the public domain, the ECI is fostering greater scrutiny and oversight over political finance, a crucial aspect of democratic governance.
As the nation gears up for upcoming elections, the release of this data assumes even greater significance. It enables voters to make informed decisions by understanding the financial backing and interests of political parties. Moreover, it reinforces the ECI’s commitment to upholding the integrity of the electoral process and ensuring a level playing field for all stakeholders.
