What We're Watching
India cracks down on anonymous donations before elections
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends the inauguration of the BAPS Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, February 14, 2024.
REUTERS/Amr Alfiky
February 15, 2024
The Supreme Court in India, the country with the most expensive elections in the world, has outlawed anonymous political donations ahead of national elections this spring.
The ruling, which dropped on Thursday, strikes down the electoral bond scheme concocted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. It allowed individuals and companies to send unlimited donations to political parties without the need to disclose their identity.
The ruling was praised by every political party besides the BJP, which received 85% of all donations and 90% of corporate donations in 2023.
Many criticize the decision as coming too late. The BJP has already amassed an extraordinary stockpile of anonymous donations – and it’s expected to maintain its majority because of its deep pockets and Modi’s strong approval ratings.
But the ruling brings political corruption to the forefront of the conversation in a country where voter bribery is common, and it could make future elections more fair and transparent.
More For You
- YouTube
Vladimir Putin is testing Europe's red lines with drone incursions, sabotage, and cyberattacks. Who will draw the line before conflict spreads further? Ian Bremmer explains.
Most Popular
October 28, 2026, Anchorage, Alaska, USA: The Alaska State offical sample ballot shows where there are 2 Daniel Sullivans running for Alaska's Senate seat. One is Daniel J, Sullivan (called decoy Dan) and the other is the incumbant Daniel S. Sullivan.
ZUMA Press Wire via Reuters Connect
Alaska has launched a criminal probe into Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola’s campaign after The Times revealed a plan to recruit people with the same name as her Republican opponent, incumbent Dan Sullivan.
For Gen Z, changing jobs can mean a bigger paycheck. Younger workers continue to see the largest gains from switching, offering a glimpse into how career mobility is evolving across generations. Subscribe to Bank of America Institute to explore the data.
Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado holds a Venezuela flag while greeting supporters as she arrives in Caracas after travelling by road from Barquisimeto, where she made her first public appearance following her return to the country after nearly a year abroad, in Caracas, Venezuela, October 25, 2026.
REUTERS/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria
Ian Bremmer analyzes what the return of Venezuela's opposition leader will mean for its democracy.
© 2025 GZERO Media. All Rights Reserved | A Eurasia Group media company.