The Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed the Election Commission (EC) to clarify the powers it has to ensure implementation of its guidelines regarding disclosure of expenditure by political parties.

A Bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice A.J. Bhambhani asked the poll panel to submit the document and said if it fails to do so this time then the court could pass orders.

Pending for five years

It remarked that the matter has been pending for the last five years and the direction to the poll panel in February to file the affidavit has not been complied with till date.

It posted the case for further hearing on July 16.

Claim exemptions

NGO Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) has told the High Court that political parties do not file income tax but claim exemptions, requiring intervention.

ADR has sought implementation of the guidelines as well as the Law Commission’s recommendation that a provision be enacted to monitor and regulate the expenditure by political parties during elections.

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 [political system] does not seem to be inclined to give effect to the recommendations of the Law Commission”.

Earlier also, the High Court had asked the poll panel whether it was powerless to take action against political parties, which do not comply with its instructions to disclose funding and expenditure details.