The Delhi High Court has asked the Election Commission on Wednesday to file an affidavit indicating the powers it has to ensure implementation of its guidelines regarding disclosure of expenditure by political parties.
Bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice AJ Bhambhani gave a final opportunity to the poll panel to submit the document and said it if fails to do so then the court will proceed to pass orders.
The high court also noted that the matter has been pending for the last five years and the direction to EC in February to file the affidavit has not been complied with till date.
The matter is posted for next hearing on July 16. Senior advocate Arvind Nigam, appearing for the petitioner NGO, Association for Democratic Reforms, argued that political parties don't file income tax but claim exemptions, requiring intervention.
The NGO has alleged in its plea that since the present political system was being "funded through various illegal means and also by the people and corporate agencies with vested interests, it does not seem to be inclined to give effect to the recommendations of the Law Commission.
The matter is posted for next hearing on July 16
