Quiz on POLITY AND GOVERNANCE
In 2019, while hearing the Association for Democratic Reforms’ (ADR) petition against the Electoral Bond Scheme, the SC asked the ECI to submit data on electoral bonds received by political parties.
o ECI received status reports from 105 parties.
o State Bank of India has revealed that only 25 political parties have opened the bank accounts necessary to receive electoral bonds.
Huge expenditure: Lok Sabha 2019 elections have been termed
as the ‘most expensive election ever, anywhere’.
o As per the Centre for Media Studies report, nearly Rs
55,000-60,000 crore was spent during the 2019 elections.
• Disrupts Level playing field: The increased use of money power
in the election disrupts the level playing field.
o It actively deters small political parties and independent
candidates from taking part in the elections.
• Increased Cash Transactions: Electoral funding in the form of
cash transactions is widespread in India making it difficult to
trace the sources of funds increasing corruption and reducing
transparency.
o As per rules currently, political parties do not have to
disclose all donations below Rs 20,000.
• Corporate and political parties’ nexus: Corporate donations of political parties have been growing significantly.