Supreme Court orders all political parties to submit Electoral Bonds detail to Election Commission

The Supreme Court has ordered all the political parties to submit in sealed cover envelopes there details of all the electoral bonds received till May 15 to the Election Commission.

News agency ANI tweeted, "Supreme Court asks all political parties who have received donations through Electoral Bonds to submit in sealed cover to the Election Commission details of donations received."

The Centre in its response to the plea filed against the use of electoral bonds had earlier said that the bonds were a “policy decision” and it can’t be “faulted” for carrying it out.

Although, in a partial setback for the political parties, the apex court has asked all of them to submit the details of the electoral bonds received until May 15 to the Election Commission and also, reveal the names of the donors and other required details.

The Supreme Court was hearing the plea filed by NGO Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR) and the bench was headed by CJI Ranjan Gogoi.

News agency ANI further tweeted, “In an interim order, Supreme Court asks political parties to give details of donors who donated through electoral bonds, amounts received from them, details of payment received on each bond etc. to the Election Commission by May 30.”

Centre was being represented by the Attorney General KK Venugopal and the Supreme Court, after hearing the matter yesterday had reserved its order in the matter.

Venugopal, while arguing in the court had said, “We have no policy of state funding of elections. Funds are received from supporters, affluent persons and companies. They all want their political party to win. If their party does not win then they apprehend some repercussions and hence secrecy or anonymity is required.”

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