Supreme Court: cash for votes strikes at democracy’s foundation

The Supreme Court on Monday held that unaccounted cash used to influence voters is not mere electoral malpractice but strikes at the very foundation of free and fair elections, compromising the essence of democracy. A bench of Justices Sanjay Karol and Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh issued a slew of directions to curb black money in the electoral process while hearing an appeal against a 2015 Karnataka High Court order that had quashed an FIR against a candidate in the 2014 Bellary Lok Sabha bye-election.

The court noted that a choice influenced by external factors, including undeclared money, is no longer a free choice. Deccan Herald reports the court flagged that of 3,87,430 FIRs registered during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, only about 42.9% ended in convictions. The Hindu reports the court observed that ridding the electoral process of black money is the Election Commission's responsibility.

The court directed that any cash or assets seized must be reported to the jurisdictional district magistrate or court within 24 hours with written reasons linking it to a suspected electoral offence. Investigating officers must strive to complete probes within one year. High Courts have been asked to designate special courts for speedy trial of cases against candidates and MPs/MLAs. The Election Commission and state governments must file compliance affidavits by November 18, 2026.