BJP, Congress yet to submit details of electoral bonds to EC

New Delhi, June 4 (IANS) BJP and Congress are among political parties which have not yet submitted details of donations received through electoral bonds to the Election Commission according to the directions of the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court had in April refused to stay the electoral bonds scheme of the government and put up the matter for final disposal later. 

The court had directed all political parties to furnish all the details regarding the bonds to the Election Commission in sealed envelope by May 30, clearly mentioning details of money received by them. 

Election Commission sources said that the two national parties were among those which had not submitted the details till the stipulated date of May 30. The EC had asked all the parties to comply with the directive. 

In its interim order in April, the court said this was an interim arrangement not to tilt the balance in favour of one political party.

The court had said the issues related to Electoral Bonds were weighty and would have tremendous bearing on the sanctity of election process. 

The bonds came into operations through amendments brought in through the Finance Act 2016-17. 

The apex court passed the order on the legality of the bonds after completing hearing of arguments from the Centre and petitioners. The petitioners have moved the court seeking either a stay on the scheme or a transparent alternative of funding of political parties.