Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 150
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 151
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Warning (512): Unable to emit headers. Headers sent in file=/home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php line=853 [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 48]
Warning (2): Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php:853) [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 148]
Warning (2): Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php:853) [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 181]
LATEST NEWS UPDATES | The electoral bonds scheme is a threat to democracy - Gautam Bhatia

The electoral bonds scheme is a threat to democracy - Gautam Bhatia

Share this article Share this article
published Published on Mar 20, 2019   modified Modified on Mar 20, 2019
-Hindustan Times

From a constitutional point of view, the scheme fails the tests of rationality and non-arbitrariness

Earlier this month, the Supreme Court indicated that it would hear the long-pending constitutional challenge to the electoral bonds scheme. The electoral bonds scheme, which was introduced by the government in early 2018, provides new channels for private funding of political parties, and has been subjected to severe criticism, including by a former Chief Election Commissioner. The Supreme Court’s announcement that it would finally hear the constitutional challenge comes too late to have any impact on the impending general election. Nonetheless, how the Court decides this case will have a vital impact upon the future of our electoral democracy.

How do electoral bonds work? In short, they are issued by the State Bank of India (SBI), for specific amounts, ranging from Rs 1000 to Rs 1 crore, for a certain number of days in the year. The donor purchases the bonds, and then transfers them to the account of the political party in question, where they are converted into donations.

There are a number of features of the electoral bond scheme that merit constitutional scrutiny. The first — and most important — is that of anonymity. Neither the donor (who could be an individual or a corporate) nor the political party is obligated to reveal whom the donation comes from. This undercuts a fundamental constitutional principle: the freedom of political information, which is an integral element of Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution (the free expression clause).

Please click here to read more.

Hindustan Times, 18 March, 2019, https://www.hindustantimes.com/analysis/the-electoral-bonds-scheme-is-a-threat-to-democracy/story-PpSiDdUjIw5WNBUzDsSzxI.html?fbclid=IwAR2s37A3Zv2Lt4k65EbFU3GZiWJRFDfd


Related Articles

 

Write Comments

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

Video Archives

Archives

share on Facebook
Twitter
RSS
Feedback
Read Later

Contact Form

Please enter security code
      Close