A recent report has revealed that more than half of Bihar’s unrecognised political parties failed to submit details of their income and expenditure to the Election Commission of India (ECI).
The finding has sparked debate over the transparency and accountability of small and regional political outfits operating in the state.
Lack of Financial Disclosure Raises Concerns
According to data compiled from the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), a large number of Bihar-based unrecognised parties did not file mandatory annual statements disclosing the source of income, donations, and spending for the last financial year.
This non-compliance violates the ECI’s transparency guidelines, which require every registered political party — recognised or not — to furnish audited financial statements each year.
Officials noted that failure to report such data creates a gap in public financial accountability, especially when many of these smaller entities contest local or state elections.
Political Funding and Accountability
Unrecognised political parties often play significant roles in regional elections, either as issue-based groups or alliances with larger parties.
However, the absence of financial transparency raises concerns about funding sources, cash transactions, and potential misuse of donations.
Political analysts say that such opacity undermines public trust and weakens democratic accountability.
“Transparency in party finances is essential for maintaining fair elections. Non-disclosure not only violates ECI norms but also prevents voters from understanding who funds these parties,” said a political expert based in Patna.
ECI and ADR Observations
The Election Commission has been urging all parties to adopt digital compliance systems to streamline reporting.
The ADR’s findings highlighted that many regional and smaller parties across India — not just in Bihar — continue to ignore these requirements despite multiple reminders.
ADR has recommended that:
The Election Commission enforce stricter penalties for non-compliance.
Political parties be barred from contesting elections if they fail to submit financial details for consecutive years.
The introduction of public funding systems or mandatory digital disclosures be explored.
Transparency in Political Funding: A National Debate
The issue of opaque political funding has been a long-standing challenge in India.
While recognised national and state parties are audited regularly, unrecognised and smaller regional entities often fall outside the scrutiny loop.
Reform advocates argue that full public disclosure of donations, electoral bonds, and campaign expenses is critical to ensuring clean politics and voter trust.
Conclusion
The report on Bihar’s unrecognised parties highlights the urgent need for electoral and financial reforms at the grassroots level.
As India moves toward stronger democratic accountability, enforcing financial transparency across all parties — big or small — will be essential for building public confidence in the political process.
FAQs:
Q1. What does the report reveal about Bihar’s unrecognised political parties?
The report shows that over half of Bihar’s unrecognised political parties did not submit their financial statements for the last fiscal year, violating Election Commission guidelines.
Q2. What are unrecognised political parties?
Unrecognised political parties are registered with the Election Commission but do not meet the criteria to be classified as state or national parties. They usually operate at local or regional levels.
Q3. Why is financial disclosure important for political parties?
It ensures transparency and accountability in funding, helping voters understand where a party’s money comes from and how it’s spent. It prevents misuse of donations and promotes clean elections.
Q4. What action can the Election Commission take against non-disclosing parties?
The ECI can deregister parties, withhold election symbols, or bar them from contesting elections until compliance is met. However, enforcement remains a challenge due to political sensitivity.
Q5. What is the ADR’s recommendation on this issue?
The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) has urged the Election Commission to mandate digital submission of financial data, enforce penalties, and strengthen transparency mechanisms.
Published on : 8th November
Published by : SMITA
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Source Credit:This article is based on a report originally published by the Press Trust of India (PTI).