Govt allows sale of electoral bonds for 15 extra days during year of state polls

Centre on Monday amended the electoral bonds scheme through a gazette notification, facilitating their sale for 15 extra days during the "year of general elections to the legislative assembly of states and Union territories with legislature".

Prior to the amendment, only an additional period of 30 days was allowed to be specified by the Centre in the year of general elections.

Now under the Electoral Bond Amendment Scheme 2022, which came into being after the issuance of the gazette notification, an additional period of 15 days will be allowed in those years that have state elections also.

"An additional period of fifteen days shall be specified by the Central government in the year of general elections to the legislative assembly of states and Union territories with the legislature," the gazette notification stated.

These bonds are sold four times a year during January, April, July and October for 10 days as notified by the government.

Electoral bonds allow political parties to accept money from donors whose identities are kept anonymous.

They are sold in multiples of Rs 1,000, Rs 10,000, Rs 1 lakh, Rs 10 lakh and Rs 1 crore.