Adoption of Delhi Declaration 2015

The New Delhi Declaration on Political Finance Regulation in South Asia, 2015, unanimously adopted by the house, is in response to the needs for strengthening the regulation of political finance (uneven access or use of money) across the South Asian region and elsewhere in the world which adequately ensures level playing among all political parties and ultimately serves the welfare of public rather than special interests.

Declaration consists of:

1.- It contains nine overarching principles including adoption of a holistic approach to regulation, comprehensive coverage, closing of monitoring gaps, coordinating efforts with stakeholders and agencies along with facilitating participation of women in electoral democracy.

2.- The overarching principles look at a holistic and integrated approach to regulation of political finance by closing gaps and loopholes in the implementation of the existing procedures and regulations.

3.- It also underscores the need to create uniformity for all political parties and candidates by creating an improved architecture for monitoring of expenditures and contributions.

4.- The regulation and implementation guidelines looked at limiting campaign spending of candidates, political parties and third parties.

5.-  It also looked at regulating contributions including public and private along with corporate funding and anonymous donations.

6.- Curbing the abuse of state resources and encouragement of public disclosure of political finance with incentives also forms a part of the guidelines.

7.-  An organized and system readable format of reporting of financial statements along with stress on compliance via enforcement of laws for enhanced transparency is also contained in the guidelines.