Election Commission not in favour of funding state polls

New Delhi, Mar 03: The Election Commission of India (ECI) is not in favour of state funding of elections as it will not be able to prohibit or check candidates' own expenditure over and above provided for by states, the Lok Sabha was informed.

In a written reply, Minister of State for Finance Anurag Thakur said the ECI's view is that for addressing the real issues, there have to be radical changes in the provisions regarding receipts of funds by political parties and the manner in which such funds are spent by them so as to provide for complete transparency in the matter.

"The Election Commission has informed the Government that it is not in favour of State Funding as it will not be able to prohibit or check candidates own expenditure or expenditure by others over and above that which is provided for by the state," the minister said.