Topic: Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability
3) Critically examine the effectiveness of electoral bonds in ensuring transparent political funding and suggest alternatives?(250 words)
Why this question
The article discusses the impact of the introduction of electoral bonds on making the process of electoral funding more transparent and examines the alternatives such as state funding of elections. Considering the fact that electoral funding is an issue that has long puzzled the policy makers and in light of impending elections, the issue becomes important.
Key demand of the question
The question expects us to explain about the electoral bonds scheme, discuss the impact of the electoral bonds on cleaning up political funding. Thereafter, the question expects us to discuss suggestions that can help in bringing in more transparency and accountability.
Directive word
Critically examine – When you are asked to examine, you have to probe deeper into the topic, get into details, and find out the causes or implications if any . When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, all you need to do is look at the good and bad of something and give a fair judgement.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – Explain about the electoral bonds.
Body
- Highlight the impact that electoral bonds are having on enhancing transparency in political fundings
- Discuss the limitations of the scheme
- Suggest and examine alternatives such as state funding of elections and give view of past committees and ECI regarding the same
Conclusion – give your view and discuss way forward.
