Why in News ?
- In a unanimous decision, the five-judge panel of the Supreme Court, led by the Chief Justice of India (CJI), deemed the Electoral Bonds scheme as “unconstitutional” while scrutinizing its legality.
- The Court concluded that the practice of anonymous electoral bonds breaches the right to information and Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.
- As a result, the Bench has instructed the State Bank of India (SBI), the issuing bank, to cease the issuance of electoral bonds. Additionally, SBI is mandated to provide the Election Commission of India (ECI) with detailed information regarding the purchase of electoral bonds.
What are Electoral Bonds?
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SC Verdict on Electoral Bonds Scheme
Issue 1: Violation of Right to Information
➢ SC Verdict: The electoral bonds scheme infringes upon the right to information under Article 19(1)(a), ensuring
freedom of speech and expression.
➢ SC Rationale: Money’s significant role in politics creates a link between economic inequality and political
influence, necessitating transparency in political funding for informed voting.
Issue 2: Legitimacy of Restricting RTI for Curbing Black Money
➢ SC Verdict: Restricting the right to information can only be justified by reasonable restrictions outlined in Article
19(2), excluding curbing black money.
➢ SC Rationale: The restrictions imposed by the electoral bonds scheme fail the court’s proportionality test, as
curtailing the right to information is not justified to combat black money.
Issue 3: Right to Privacy vs. RTI Infringement
➢ SC Verdict: The right to privacy regarding political affiliation doesn’t extend to corporate contributions aiming to
influence policies, but to genuine political support.
➢ SC Rationale: Concealing corporate contributions could obscure the motives behind financial support from other
segments of the population.
Issue 4: Constitutionality of Unlimited Corporate Contributions
➢ SC Verdict: Amended Section 182(3) of the Companies Act 2013, allowing unlimited political contributions by
companies, is unconstitutional under Article 14.
➢ SC Rationale: Corporate contributions primarily seek reciprocal benefits, with corporations possessing greater
influence over the political process compared to individuals.
What are the Implications of the Judgment?
Enhanced Transparency and Accountability:
➢ The judgment mandates transparency regarding political funding.
➢ It ensures public access to information on funding sources and amounts through electoral bonds.
➢ This facilitates public scrutiny and holds parties accountable for their actions.
Reduction of Money and Corporate Influence:
➢ The judgment diminishes the sway of money and corporate power in politics.
➢ Donors can no longer conceal their identities and agendas behind anonymity.
➢ Political parties are less susceptible to the influence of vested interests, prioritizing public welfare.
Leveling the Playing Field:
➢ All political parties stand on an equal footing.
➢ Discrimination based on vote share or popularity is eliminated.
➢ Smaller and regional parties can compete with ruling and major opposition parties, offering genuine voter choice.
ADR Report on Electoral Bonds’ Influence in Political Funding
The Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR), a Delhi-based NGO, has released a comprehensive report focusing on
electoral bonds and political party donations spanning from 2016-17 to 2021-22.
• Total Donations Overview: Seven national and 24 regional political parties collectively amassed ₹16,437.63 crore
in donations during this period.
• Dominance of Electoral Bonds: Electoral bonds emerged as the primary source of political funding, constituting
a significant 55.9% of the total donations received.
• Contributions from Corporate and Other Sources: Donations from the corporate sector accounted for 28.07% of
the total, with the remaining 16.03% sourced from other avenues.
• Rise in Donations:
➢ Notably, there was a substantial 743% surge in donations received through electoral bonds for national parties
between 2017-18 and 2021-22.
➢ In contrast, corporate donations experienced a comparatively modest increase of 48% during the same period.
Way Forward Conclusion:
The Supreme Court’s ruling on electoral bonds represents a significant milestone in upholding the constitutional
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principles and democratic values of the nation. This landmark decision deems the electoral bonds scheme unconstitutional and in violation of citizens’ rights to information, equality, and the constitutional framework for electoral reforms. Additionally, the judgment mandates the State Bank of India (SBI) to disclose details of electoral bonds redeemed by political parties to the Election Commission of India (ECI), which will subsequently publish them on its website by March 31, 2024.
➢ This ruling is poised to improve the transparency and accountability of political financing, diminish the influence of money and corporate interests in politics, and create a more equitable landscape for all political entities.
