The original petition requested only for the EB scheme to be declared unconstitutional. The SC did that but went ahead and also issued directions to SBI and ECI to ensure full implementation of the judgment. This initiative of the apex court must be acknowledged and commended 8 pm of March 14, 2024, was somewhat reminiscent […]
Let’s aim for transparent funding trails and reduced influence of money on poll outcomes While “political party” is not entirely absent as a mention in India’s Constitution, it finds space only in the 10th Schedule, which was added in 1985, brought about by the introduction of an anti-defection law. Otherwise, could it be that the […]
The electoral bonds data in public domain, with secret numbers readable only by ultraviolet light, will continue to be parsed and investigated. But, we also need to, now, think beyond EBs. From its introduction to its cancellation, the road EBs took has made it clear that political party funding reforms are an absolute imperative. Three […]
You can read the article here: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/electoral-bonds-five-facts-five-takeaways/amp_articleshow/108531290.cms. This article was originally published in TOI+.
Given that the law appointing the election commissioners is being challenged in court, the two vacancies in the Election Commission must be filled using the process suggested by the Supreme Court in March 2023 The resignation of Election Commissioner (EC) Arun Goel coupled with the earlier superannuation of EC Anup Chandra Pandey on February 14, […]
SC has batted big for transparency by dismissing SBI’s plea for more time to disclose electoral bonds info. People have a right to be aware of political party funding before they go to polling booths On March 11, SC took up two petitions of national importance. One was State Bank of India’s plea seeking extension […]
Exposure to public scrutiny is one of the known means for getting courageous and credible people to govern. On 15th February 2024, the Supreme Court of India finally paid much-needed tribute to that little man, a citizen, a voter whose contributions to a participatory democracy were incessantly disparaged by the political establishments in recent times. It is […]
It took the largest bank in the country 17 days, from February 16 to March 3, to figure out that it cannot provide information by March 6 but will be able to provide it only by June 30. On the afternoon of March 4, 2024, the State Bank of India (SBI) filed an application in […]
Apprehensions were expressed soon after the judgment about the possibility that the disclosures may not happen. FEBRUARY 15, 2024, will be remembered as an important day in the history of democracy in India. The Supreme Court delivered a judgment declaring the Electoral Bond Scheme (EBS) unconstitutional. “The issuing bank shall herewith stop the issuance of […]
The landmark judgment of the Supreme Court of India is a reminder that citizens need to be ever watchful in a democracy ‘The issue of money in elections, which includes the use of black money and bribing of voters using campaign funds and freebies, still remains’. The judgment of the Supreme Court of India, on […]