Delisting of Inactive Political Parties

Delisting of Inactive Political Parties

Recently, the Election Commission declared 253 other political parties to be "inactive" and ordered the delisting of 86 registered but unrecognized political parties that it discovered to be "non-existent."

Major Findings

The 253 parties were delisted for the following reason:

• They failed to react to the letter or notification that was provided to them and failed to participate in any elections, including those for the General Assembly of a State or the Parliament Elections in 2014 and 2019.
• Impact: The Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968, which permits parties to apply for a common symbol for their candidates, will not allow the parties that have been declared inactive to profit from it.
• It is important to remember that registered unrecognized political parties (RUPP) are granted the right to use a common symbol in exchange for a commitment to field at least 5% of the candidates in a State's Legislative Assembly election.

Political Party

• It is a collection of individuals who band together to run for office and maintain control over the government.
• They concur on a number of social policies and programs that will advance the common good.
• Try to persuade individuals as to why your plans are superior to others since there may be divergent opinions on what is best for all parties.
• Through elections, they attempt to put these ideals into action by gaining support from the general public.
• the prerequisites for becoming recognized as a state or national party

Become a state party by:

• 8% of the total votes cast in the state during the Lok Sabha election from the state or the Assembly polls, or 6% of the votes cast in the Assembly elections and two Assembly seats, or 6% of the votes cast in the LS from the state and an MP from the state, or 3% of all Assembly seats or three seats (whichever is greater).

To register as a National Party:

• In the event that Party is regarded as a legitimate political party in four or more states.
• In addition to winning four Lok Sabha seats, receive at least 6% of the vote in four states.
• It obtained at least 2% of the LS seats (i.e., 11 seats in the existing House having 543 members).

In India, how are political parties registered?

The Representation of the People Act, 1951's section 29A regulations govern political party registration.

Application submission deadline:

• According to the rules established by the Commission in the exercise of the authority granted by Article 324 of the Constitution of India and Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, a party seeking registration under the said section with the Commission must apply to the Commission within 30 days of the date of its formation.

Demand draft:

• A demand draught for Rs 10,000 must be included with the application. A printed copy of the Party's constitution, rules, and memorandum must be included as well.

Specific clause:

• The party's constitution, rules and regulations, or memorandum should contain a specific clause addressing organisational elections at various levels, the frequency of such elections, and the periods of office for party office holders.

Electoral rolls:

• In order to verify that at least 100 party members are registered voters, it is also necessary to acquire the most recent electoral rolls for those individuals.

Affidavit Requirement:

• The application also requires an affidavit stating that none of the party's members are affiliated with any other political party that is registered with the Commission, duly signed by the party's president or general secretary, and sworn before a First-Class Magistrate/Oath Commissioner)/Notary Public.

• The applicant association is required, among other things, to publish the proposed name of the party in two national daily newspapers and two local daily newspapers on two days so that any objections to the proposed registration of the party before the Commission can be made within 30 days of such publication.
• The Election Commission's website also features the notice for publication.

Qualifications for Deregistration

• A party may only be de-registered in the following circumstances: if its registration was gained fraudulently; if the Central Government declares it to be illegal; or if a party alters its internal constitution and tells the ECI that it can no longer adhere to the Indian Constitution.

Why is it vital to register with the EC?

• When it comes to the distribution of free emblems, political party candidates who are registered with the Election Commission of India would be given preference over candidates who are solely independent.
• Further, subject to meeting the requirements outlined by the Commission in the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968, as revised from time to time, registered political parties may eventually be recognized as a "State Party" or "National Party"
• When a party is acknowledged as a State Party, it is entitled to the exclusive right to allot its reserved symbol to the candidates it has nominated in the State or States where it has received such recognition.

About Election Commission India (ECI)

• On January 25th, 1950, it was founded in conformity with the Constitution.
• It is an independent constitutional body in charge of managing India's Union and State election procedures.
• The organisation oversees elections for the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, state legislative assemblies, state legislative councils, and the presidential and vice presidential positions in the nation.
• Elections to panchayats and municipalities in the states are unrelated to it.
• A separate State Election Commission is made available for this purpose by the Indian Constitution.