Electoral Reforms In India

S Y Quraishi writes: On electoral bonds, Supreme Court must uphold Right to Information

Central idea 

The Supreme Court’s delayed review of electoral bonds probes the tension between voter information rights and donor confidentiality in a scheme initiated by Arun Jaitley in 2017. Despite its aim to enhance political funding transparency, electoral bonds are criticized for facilitating substantial anonymous donations, prompting a reassessment.

Key Highlights:

  • Long Overdue Scrutiny: The Supreme Court belatedly addresses the electoral bonds case, underscoring the clash between voters’ right to information and donors’ right to confidentiality.
  • Judicial Focus: Chief Justice DY Chandrachud leads a Constitution Bench, signaling a renewed focus on resolving the inherent tensions within the electoral bonds scheme.
  • Intent vs. Reality: Arun Jaitley’s 2017 introduction aimed at enhancing transparency in political funding, yet it paradoxically raised concerns about anonymity in substantial donations.
  • Unintended Consequences: The unexpected fallout prompts a reassessment of the electoral bonds’ actual impact on the transparency landscape.

Challenges:

  • Unmasking Anonymity Issues: Electoral bonds permit significant anonymous donations, opening avenues for potential quid pro quo transactions.
  • Transparency Dilemma: The challenge lies in striking a balance between protecting donor identities and ensuring transparency in political contributions.
  • Commission’s Conundrum: The Election Commission’s reversal from initial skepticism to support introduces a new layer of complexity and skepticism.
  • Trust Deficit: The sudden shift erodes trust in the consistency and impartiality of regulatory bodies, complicating the ongoing discourse on political funding transparency.

Concerns:

  • Unraveling Legal Changes: The Finance Act of 2017’s amendments, while enabling electoral bonds, raise concerns about potential misuse and their overall impact on transparency.
  • Legislative Tightrope: Striking a balance between facilitating political funding and safeguarding against misuse becomes a critical concern.
  • International Implications: Changes in legislation raise apprehensions about unchecked foreign contributions, bringing to light potential implications for the integrity of Indian elections.
  • National Security Nexus: The secrecy surrounding foreign funding raises concerns not just about transparency but also the broader national security landscape.

Analysis:

  • Paradoxical Outcome: Electoral bonds, designed to enhance transparency, face criticism for paradoxically diminishing it by facilitating undisclosed, large-scale donations.
  • Reassessing Intentions: An in-depth analysis of how the scheme’s intentions align with its real-world impact on political funding transparency.
  • Reimagining Funding Landscape: Urgent calls for reconsideration of private funding advocate exploring alternatives like public funding or a National Election Fund.
  • Navigating Change: The urgency lies in navigating a transformed funding landscape that prioritizes fairness, accountability, and public trust.

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Way Forward:

  • Disclosing Donor Identities: A reevaluation of the use of electoral bonds, emphasizing transparency through the disclosure of donor identities.
  • Stakeholder Collaboration: Collaborative efforts between regulatory bodies, political stakeholders, and the public to shape more transparent political funding mechanisms.
  • Alternatives to Private Funding: Advocating for a shift towards public funding or the establishment of a National Election Fund to address concerns about donor reprisals.
  • Balancing Act: Striking a balance between the need for funding and the imperative of transparency in reshaping the political funding landscape.

 

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