<h5>What are electoral bonds?</h5><p>Electoral bonds are unique certificates that citizens or organisations can buy and use to support their preferred political party in the country. These bonds can be purchased via the State Bank of India (SBI). People can purchase these bonds and donate them to political parties.</p><p>Political parties must encash them within a set time frame. The bond does not list the donor's name or other relevant information. So, the donations remain anonymous. You can learn more about electoral bonds <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.newsahoot.com/articles/electoral-bond-what-are-they">here</a>.</p><p>Electoral bonds have been the subject of some petitions filed in the Supreme Court (SC) of India.</p><figure class="image"><img src="https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/newsahoot.appspot.com/o/supreme-court-s-verdict-on-electoral-bonds%2FElectoral%20Bond.jpg?alt=media&amp;token=94445f03-81f1-4533-9465-1cb1f6308b70"><figcaption>An electoral bond sample. Photo by The Hindu.</figcaption></figure><h5>What petitions were filed?</h5><p>The anonymity of electoral bond purchasers has become a big problem. A petitioner argued that people have a right to know about the donations that political parties are receiving. Another senior lawyer believes that a political party may use the money for reasons other than elections.</p><p>The government argues that the person or group purchasing the bond should remain anonymous. This will help protect the donor's identity and avoid attacks by rival political parties. The government says the donors also have a right to privacy. These are some arguments regarding electoral bonds.</p><p>The SC has recently given a verdict on the electoral bond scheme.</p><h5>What verdict has the Supreme Court given?</h5><p>On 15th February 2024, the SC gave a verdict regarding electoral bonds. They said that anonymous electoral bonds violate the right to information as the funding received by political parties is not revealed. People do have a right to know that. They have struck down the scheme, saying it is unconstitutional.</p><p>The court has asked the issuing bank (SBI) to stop issuing electoral bonds. The SBI has been asked to provide details on all electoral bonds purchased from 12th April 2019 to the Election Commission of India (ECI). The details should contain the purchase date, the purchaser's name, and the bond amount.</p><p>The SBI must also provide information to the ECI regarding political parties that received contributions through electoral bonds from 12th April 2019 to the present. SBI must reveal information on each electoral bond encashed by political parties, such as the date and amount.</p><p>SBI must provide all the information by 6th March 2024. The ECI must publish the information on its website by 13th March 2024. Political parties must also return electoral bonds to the purchaser if they are still valid and have not been encashed. The amount will then be returned to the person by the bank.</p>

The SC’s verdict came after many petitions regarding electoral bonds were filed with the court.

Supreme Court’s Verdict on Electoral Bonds

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Supreme Court’s Verdict on Electoral Bonds

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