‘EC needs to be more transparent’: Journalist Poonam Agarwal on new book, downfall of investigative journalism

The Election Commission of India has come under the scanner over the last few years. While political parties have flagged concerns about voter lists, poll watchdog Association for Democratic Reforms has pointed to discrepancies in votes polled and counted.

In her new book India Inked, journalist-author Poonam Agarwal breaks down how elections take place in the biggest democracy of the world. She discusses her story that uncovered how electoral bonds carry unique identity numbers, visible under ultraviolet light, challenging the Central government’s claim that the scheme promised anonymity to political donors. Six years later, in 2024, the Supreme Court, in a landmark judgement, called the Electoral Bond Scheme of 2018 “unconstitutional”.

In a conversation with Newslaundry’s Sumedha Mittal, Agarwal discusses her work, why the EC needs to be more transparent, and the role of opposition parties. She also talks about the downfall of investigative journalism in Indian newsrooms.  

Watch.

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