FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE OF POLITICAL PARTIES: A LEGAL OBLIGATION UNDER RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT, 2005

A democratic government should be transparent and accountable for the peaceful functioning of country. Political parties are the pillars of democratic government.The RTI Act was enacted to access the information from public entities. It is essential in the interest of public that political parties’ finances should be included under the scope of the RTI Act for the purpose of disclosure of Funds raised and expenditure incurred both during election and other times to achieve an objective of free and fair election as highlighted under Article 324 concerning the disclosure of funds to observe transparency and accountability. The more the political parties are answerable, there are higher the chances that democracy is maintained. This paper aims to critically analyze the role of political parties in strengthening transparency and safeguarding democracy. TheJudiciary has interpreted right to access to information, recognizing it as necessary for the functioning of a democratic country. Political Parties has to disclose their critical role in shaping governance and policy as political parties are often seen as quasi-public bodies. The Supreme Court have called political parties for their inclusion under the RTI to enhance financial transparency and accountability. Yet, political parties exempted and raising concerns over the disclosure of political funding and decision-making processes.