Five electoral trusts received a total of ₹366.49 crore in the 2022-23 financial year with the BJP receiving the lion’s share of the donations worth ₹259.08 crore, according to an analysis by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).
Out of 18 approved electoral trusts, only five have declared receiving contributions from various corporate houses and individuals.
Electoral trusts were introduced by the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government in 2013. Just like the electoral bonds scheme, they were meant to facilitate donations to political parties by corporations and individuals. But while the electoral bonds scheme seeks to ensure anonymity for the donor, the electoral trusts are required to submit to the Election Commission (EC) a report on contributions from individuals and companies, and their donations to parties every year.
