EC Releases Complete Electoral Bonds Data Linking Donors With Recipients

New Delhi: In a major development in the Electoral Bonds row, the Election Commission has released crucial information supplied by the State Bank of India (SBI), in compliance with a Supreme Court directive. This disclosure sheds light on donors, bond purchases, and the associated political parties, thereby lifting the veil on previously obscured transactions.

The data, released on March 14, unveiled details about donors, bond purchases, and the parties encashing them. However, a crucial piece was missing – the hidden alphanumeric codes on bonds, essential for matching donors with recipient parties. These codes, visible only under ultraviolet light, had raised concerns regarding the anonymity promised by the government.

The Supreme Court’s intervention came after petitioners flagged “incomplete data” provided by SBI. Chief Justice DY Chandrachud emphasized the necessity of full disclosure, stating, “We want all information related to the electoral bonds to be disclosed.” The court had earlier scrapped the Electoral Bond Scheme, citing concerns about undisclosed corporate funding’s impact on policy-making and voters’ right to know.

The disclosed information reveals notable contributors, including Future Gaming and Hotel Services, Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Ltd, and Vedanta, among others. Notably, Future Gaming and Hotel Services donated a substantial amount to Tamil Nadu’s ruling party, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK).