Commending the Election Commission (EC) for suspending the recognition of Mizoram-based National Peoples’ Party for failing to submit its election expenditure report for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR) has pointed out that national parties such as BJP and Congress are equal defaulters in submitting their reports.
“Among the national parties, election expenditure statements of BJP and INC are not available for five Assembly elections held between 2011 and 2015,” said an analysis based on information on the EC’s website by the non-profit election watchdog.
The CPI had defaulted with its submission for four Assembly polls, and the CPI(M) in one.
The statements are required to be submitted 75 days after Assembly elections and 90 days after Lok Sabha elections.
The ADR said availability of poll expenditure statements of regional parties is equally worrisome. The JD(U) is yet to submit them for 15 Assembly elections, and the LJP for 11. It requested the EC to issue show-cause notices to recognised parties that have defaulted on this count.