Political parties under RTI? SC seeks Centre, EC response in writing

The Supreme Court has initiated proceedings to determine whether political parties should be classified as public authorities under the Right to Information Act. By inviting written responses from the government and election bodies, the Court is addressing longstanding demands for greater transparency in political financing. This legal move aims to resolve the ambiguity surrounding the accountability of political entities, which currently operate with significant secrecy regarding their funding sources. A central argument presented is that political parties receive substantial indirect funding through state resources, such as land and media access, alongside undisclosed cash donations. Proponents of the petition argue that this lack of disclosure facilitates the use of black money in elections and undermines democratic integrity. They contend that since parties rely on public infrastructure and are registered under state laws, they must adhere to the same transparency standards as other government bodies. This development is highly relevant to the open data community as it highlights the critical need for accessible political finance data. If political parties are brought under the RTI Act, citizens and researchers could access detailed information about donations and expenditures. Such data is essential for analyzing election funding trends, combating corruption, and ensuring that democratic processes are not compromised by undisclosed financial interests.

Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
Published on 2025-02-15

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