Political parties under RTI: Election Commission contradicts CIC directive

Political parties under RTI: Election Commission contradicts CIC directive

News:

1. The Election Commission has recently ordered that National Political parties are out of the purview of the RTI Act which is contrary to central information commission directives.

Important Facts:

2. Vihar Dhurve has filled a RTI about the details of donations collected by six national parties — the BJP, the Congress, the BSP, the NCP, the CPI and the CPI (M) and the Samajwadi Party through the newly-introduced electoral bonds.
3. The recent order of Election Commission is contrary to the Central Information Commission order of 2013.
4. In 2013  CIC has brought Six Nation party under the preview of RTI act by declaring them public authority.
5. The political parties have refused to entertain the RTI applications directed at them.
6. Several activists have approached the Supreme Court on the grounds of non-compliance of the CIC order and the matter is still pending at apex court.
7. When it comes to the RTI Act, the CIC is the only appellate authority which may declare a body as public authority if it is convinced that the organisation fits into the criteria for being under the RTI Act.
8. Former Chief Information Commissioner A.N. Tiwari has argue against the recent Election Commission orders.

• He said that the order of Election Commission has no merit.
• He state that when the Central Information Commission has declared six national political parties as public authority the Election Commission cannot take a position contrary to that unless the order of the CIC has been overturned by the Supreme Court or High Courts.

8. Venkatesh Nayak, RTI activist, said the Election Commission has exceeded his limits in giving this order.

• He further elaborated that in June 2013 Central Information Commission has order for bringing six national political parties under the RTI Act.
• He said the the order of CIC has not been stayed or set aside by any court.

9. Recently, Election Commission has recommended for the “New Zealand model” in India which will allow eligible people to vote even if their names is not printed in the electoral roll.