Money Power in Elections

It is widely believed that contesting an election in India costs a significant amount of money that is often much greater than the prescribed limits. The high cost of elections creates a high degree of compulsion for corruption in the public arena, that the sources of some of the election funds are believed to be unaccounted criminal money in return for protection, unaccounted funds from business groups who expect a high return on this investment, kickbacks or commissions on contracts, etc., and that Electoral compulsions for funds become the foundation of the whole super structure of corruption.

♤ In view of the increasing cost of the election campaigns, it is desirable that the existing ceiling on election expenses for the various legislative bodies be suitably raised to a reasonable level reflecting the increasing costs. However, this ceiling should also apply to the political parties. As of now, there is no limit on how much a political party can spend on elections.

♤ There is also a need to curb the high cost of campaigning to provide a level playing field for anyone who wants to contest elections.

♤ Another recommendation that has been suggested by previous committees to reduce the cost of elections is state funding of elections. The idea is to establish such conditions where even the parties with modest financial resources may be able to compete with those who have superior financial resources. However, before that elections need to be freed from the influence of all vitiating factors, particularly, criminalization of politics.