AP

ANINDYA PANDEYAIR 158· 2025

Question Q.1) a)GS2GS2

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?

Open scan (p.1)

Introduction

Money power & muscle power are major hurdles in free & fair elections.

13 words

Main Body

Money power & muscle power are major hurdles in free & fair elections. It poses a grave threat to the openness of any democracy.

Money powerTitlcial information from the electorate; Keeps the electorate in ignorance; All candidates do not equal access to money; Unfair campaign ground

as a threat to transparency

as a threat to fairness

as a threat to democratic accountabilityVoters are paid to vote hence they cannot hold their representatives against the democratic accountability principle of equality

Steps to ensure ethical electoral funding:

1Follow Kantian ethic and money should not be treated as an end.
2Idea of state funding of elections (Suggested by Ordeyit Gupta committee)
3Limiting money for political parties (Gandhi's Politics w/o Principle)
4Educating electorate to reject money offers before election
5Strict oversight by election commission
6Follow constitutional morality

The Honourable Supreme Court on ADR vs UoT (2002) struck down electoral bond scheme as it violated the ethical principles of right to information, transparency & accountability.

170 words12 paragraphs

Topper

ANINDYA PANDEY

AIR 1582025

Subject & Paper

GS2GS2

Topic

Salient Features of the Representation of People's Act

Electoral Funding and Money Power

Challenges posed by money power in elections

Writing Stats

183

Total words

12

Paragraphs

prescriptive and solution-oriented

Tone