Rising influence of money power in Indian elections poses a serious challenge to transparency, fairness, and democratic accountability. How can ethical electoral funding be ensured to maintain the integrity of democracy?

A government that does not abide by the rules of morality is no better than a band of robbers. Rising money power in Indian elections as a challenge to: - Every capitalism (with branching points to: Transparency, Hiding income sources, Rise of parallel economy, Money laundering, Illegal bonds, Tax evasion) - Fairness (with branching points to: Influence electoral outcomes, Freebies/culture for votes) Democratic accountability issues: - False voter lists - Ghost voters - Bribery of election officials - Booth capturing Ways to ensure ethical electoral funding: 1. Make credentials of donors public 2. Make submission of annual returns of political parties compulsory 3. Form 26 RPA 1951 → declare assets of MP/MLAs 4. Practice financial integrity 5. Avoid knows-Door split Thus by practicing virtue ethics in election funding we can ensure democracy in letter and spirit.

— LIZA GARGA · AIR 303