"Legal Blow to Electoral Financing: Supreme Court Strikes Down Electoral Bond Scheme"
In a historic decision, the Supreme Court of India has struck down the controversial Electoral Bond Scheme, highlighting that “the information about funding to a political party is essential for a voter to exercise their freedom to vote effectively”, a five-judge Constitution bench, headed by Chief Justice of India. Thus marking a pivotal moment in the nation's ongoing battle for electoral transparency and integrity. Background of the Electoral Bond Scheme In recent years, India has witnessed significant reforms in its electoral financing system, one of the most notable being the introduction of the Electoral Bond Scheme. Introduced in 2018, this scheme aimed to bring transparency to political funding by providing a legal channel for donations to political parties. However, the scheme has been a subject of intense debate, with proponents hailing it as a step towards cleaner politics while critics raise concerns about its implications for transparency and accountability. The ...