In favour of transparency: Election Commission on Supreme Court’s electoral bonds order

Two days after the Supreme Court directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to publish details of electoral bonds received by political parties on its website by March 13, the poll panel said it has always been in favour of transparency and would comply with the top court’s order.

“The ECI was also a party in the (electoral bond) case. You might have seen our affidavits. The commission has always stressed on two things – transparency in terms of information flow and involvement. We are in favour of transparency. When the order has come, we will take action as directed by the Supreme Court,” said chief election commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar during a press conference in Bhubaneswar.

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The ECI team led by Kumar was here to review the preparedness for the upcoming general and assembly polls due in April-May this year.

In its order on Thursday, the apex court had directed the State Bank of India to share details of all electoral bonds purchased from its designated branches, including the date of purchase, the name of the buyer, and the value. The bank has also been instructed to provide details of each electoral bond encashed by political parties to the ECI in three weeks. The ECI has been asked to publish the details on its website by March 13.

In 2019, in its affidavit submitted to the apex court, the poll panel had informed the SC that changes made in several laws relating to political funding would have “serious repercussions” on transparency.

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On the pending case in the apex court on electronic voting machines (EVMs), Kumar said they are waiting for the decision. “There were a large number of cases in the high court and the Supreme Court, which have been decided already. The commission works on the basis of these directions. Whatever decision will come and changes required, we will do accordingly,” said the CEC.

Kumar said that if anyone has doubts on EVMs, the commission addresses it in the ‘frequently asked questions’ segment on its website.

“It will not only clear the doubt of the individual but everybody at large can understand and know it. Over hundreds of questions have been answered. Orders of more than 30 cases in high court and Supreme Court have also been published,” said Kumar.

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On the authenticity of EVMs, the CEC said that if one examines the results in the past five to seven years from the commission’s website, it’s clear that “there is no single pattern of election results. It changes”.

On the poll preparedness in Odisha, the CEC said some political parties have aired apprehensions that the administration (state election machinery) is not neutral and they favour the party in power. Kumar also said that some parties have alleged that government vehicles and ambulances are used to carry illegal items, including cash.

On behalf of the ECI, Kumar said instruction has been issued to maintain absolute impartiality, transparency and to ensure a level playing field. He also cautioned state election officials about preventing violence during the poll process.

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