Political parties have multiple sources of funding and thus accountability and transparency becomes all the more important. It is essential to have comprehensive and transparent accounting methods and systems which would reveal the true financial position of the parties. 

As per the recommendations of The National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution report submitted in March 2002 “The political parties as well as individual candidates be made subject to a proper statutory audit of the amounts they spend. These accounts should be monitored through a system of checking and cross-checking through the income-tax returns filed by the candidates, parties and their well- wishers.”  This recommendation has also been cited by the Supreme Court in its order dated 13.03.2003, on Writ Petition (Civil) No. 515 of 2002 (Association for Democratic Reforms vs. Union of India and another)

 

Furthermore the Election Commission in their proposed electoral reforms (2004) has said “The political parties must be required to publish their accounts (at least abridged version) annually for information and scrutiny of the general public and all concerned, for which purpose the maintenance of such accounts and their auditing to ensure their accuracy is a pre-requisite. The Commission reiterates these proposals with the modification that the auditing may be done by any firm of auditors approved by the Comptroller and Auditor General. The audited accounts should be available for information of the public.”

Law Commission of India, National Commission for the Review of Working of Constitution and The Election Commission have recommended introduction of a law to improve transparency in finances and accountability in functioning of political parties.

This Round Table organized by ADR, involving various stakeholders aims at inviting suggestions in order to achieve greater transparency in the finances of political parties.

City: 
New Delhi
State : 
Delhi
Date: 
08.12.2015
Time: 
10 AM
Venue : 
Conference Room II – India International Centre
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