Freebies Issue : Election Commission Declines To Be Part Of Expert Panel Proposed By Supreme Court

The Election Commission of India has declined to be the part of the expert body proposed to be constituted by the Supreme Court to examine the issues relating to the promise of "freebies" by political parties during elections.

On August 3, the Court had opined that an expert body consisting of various stakeholders such as Niti Aayog, Finance Commission, Law Commission, Reserve Bank of India, members of ruling and opposition parties would be required to give suggestions to address the issue of promise of freebies during election campaigns.

The Court had also expressed reservations with respect to the ECI stand that offering freebies is a policy decision of a party and that the Commission cannot regulate state policies and decisions which may be taken by the winning party when they form the government.

On April 10, 2022 the ECI in its affidavit had told the Top Court that offering any freebies either before or after the election is a policy decision of the party and that the Commission cannot regulate state policies and decisions which may be taken by the winning party when they form the government.