ECI to follow Supreme Court order on electoral bonds issue: Poll panel chairman Rajiv Kumar

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Saturday said the poll panel will act in compliance with the Supreme Court’s directives regarding the electoral bonds scheme. Talking to reporters, Kumar said the committee has always worked on the basis of transparent flow of information and participation.

“The commission, in its affidavit filed in the Supreme Court, has stated that it supports transparency and when orders are issued, it will take action as directed by the Supreme Court,” Kumar said.

On an issue related to a case pending in the Supreme Court on conduct of elections without EVMs, the Chief Election Commissioner said, “Decisions and changes will be made as per the directions of the court, if required.”

In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court on Thursday struck down the electoral bonds scheme, saying it violated the constitutional right to information and freedom of speech and expression.

It delivered a unanimous verdict on a batch of pleas challenging the legal validity of the central government’s electoral bonds scheme, which allows anonymous funding to political parties. The SC has directed banks to stop further issuance of electoral bonds and State Bank of India (SBI) should submit details of electoral bonds purchased so far since April 12, 2019, to the Election Commission.

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from associated news agency – PTI)