Money power plays disastrous role in elections. We are not the only victims. Generally in democracies voters are bought in one or the other way. But in our country and the State, it has become an open industry. There are rules governing funding of party candidates in elections. But generally it is found that both parties and candidates try to circumvent the rules and use money and muscle power to win votes from the electorate.
Cognizant of this situation the ECI has introduced new rules under the title ‘transparency and accountability in party funds and election expenditure’.
It has roped in the IT Department and the Banks to curb money power during elections. The parties are required to have bank account so that it is found out how much money has been given to how many candidates and on which dates. Monitoring the dispersal of funds is one of the ways of controlling misuse of money power. Account maintained by the treasurer of political parties is required to conform to the audit reports and all the money given to the candidates has to be given through crossed cheques. As a result of new regulations, it is likely that the IT Department will make a survey of account holders in Jammu and Kashmir State in order to scrutinize whether any big money is withdrawn and disbursed during or just before the polling.
People hail the progressive step of the ECI. The questions which people usually ask are like this: Wherefrom does so and so candidate get the money to spend on feasts and functions so lavishly or why does not the Government control black money which flows so freely in elections. Now with the new regulations pronounced by the ECI questions like these will be answered. But with all said and done, people want that electoral candidates found indulging in irregularities or more importantly financial irregularities should be black listed and barred from fighting elections. Unless stringent measures are taken, things cannot improve.
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