EC asks parties to disclose cost of ‘revdi’ and reveal how it will be funded

The Election Commission on Tuesday asked the political parties to furnish details of the cost of ‘freebies’ promises to the voters and also sought their views on the issue.

The EC said it cannot overlook inadequate disclosures on election promises and consequential undesirable impact on financial sustainability. It has observed that the declarations are “quite routine, ambiguous” and do not provide adequate information to the voters to exercise informed choice in an election.

“The choice to cast the vote, i.e. the most precious gift of democracy, is directly and intricately linked to access to timely and reliable information. It is in this background that timely availability of data points to assess financial viability of the promises made to voters in the election manifestos assume critically,” Senior Principal Secretary, ECI, Narendra N Butolia said.

According to Indian Express, the proposal comes in the backdrop of Supreme Court intervening freebies or “revdi” debate rages. The top court had asked the ECI to come up with the guidelines and if there can be set rules of guidelines as far as freebies are concerned as many political parties, including AAP in several states have come out and said welfare schemes cannot be termed as freebies.

“While the Commission agrees in principle with the point of view that framing of manifestos is the right of political parties, it cannot overlook the undesirable impact of some of the promises and offers on the conduct of free and fair elections and maintaining a level playing field for all political parties and candidates,” the Election Commission said.

The poll panel has proposed that each state chief secretary and the Union finance secretary, whenever or wherever the elections are held, provide details of tax and expenditure in a specified format, reported DNA.

According to the paper, a senior official of the poll panel said the move was aimed at assessing the feasibility of implementation of such promises within the financial space available.

As per the proposal, the political parties will have to provide the details of the financial feasibility of their promises in a certain format which include information like extent and expanse of coverage; quantification of physical coverage and quantification of financial implications of the promises.

“Holding of periodic elections in a free, fair, and transparent manner is integral to any democracy. There are several dimensions to the concept of ‘free, fair” and transparent elections. These include but are not limited to all eligible voters being able to exercise their vote with ease and without fear or allurement,” the ECI said.

-INDIA NEWS STREAM