The Election Commission of India (ECI) has removed 334 registered unrecognised political parties (RUPPs) from its rolls after finding them in violation of statutory requirements under the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
The action follows a verification drive ordered in June, when chief electoral officers (CEOs) of states and Union territories were tasked with examining 345 RUPPs for compliance with conditions such as contesting elections at least once in six years and regularly updating details like office address and names of office bearers.
According to the ECI, each of the 345 parties was issued a show-cause notice and given an opportunity to respond, including through personal hearings. Based on the CEOs’ reports, 334 were found non-compliant, while the remaining cases have been sent back for re-verification.
The delisted parties will no longer be entitled to benefits under Sections 29B and 29C of the RP Act, which govern the receipt of contributions and exemptions under the Income Tax Act, as well as provisions of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968.
With this move, the number of RUPPs has come down from 2,854 to 2,520. The Commission has described the exercise as part of an ongoing strategy to “clean up the electoral system” by ensuring that only active and accountable parties remain on its rolls.
Parties aggrieved by the order have 30 days to appeal to the Commission.
The ECI maintains that Section 29A of the RP Act empowers it to register political parties and stipulates that any changes to key details must be communicated without delay. Failure to contest elections for six consecutive years is grounds for removal from the register.
This is the latest in a series of measures by the Commission aimed at improving transparency in political party functioning and tightening oversight on entities that do not participate in the electoral process.
