Election Commission removed 474 political parties from its records, Full details
Election Commission removed 474 political parties, efforts continue to streamline RUPPs and ensure transparency in India’s electoral system.
Election Commission removed 474 political parties
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has recently removed 474 registered but unrecognised political parties because they have not contested elections in the last six years. This step is part of an ongoing effort to clean up the political system and protect the fairness of elections. In just the last two months, a total of 808 such parties have been de-listed, bringing the number of Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs) down to 2,046.
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Background of RUPPs & their Registration
Political parties in India register with the Election Commission under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
This registration provides benefits such as election symbols and tax exemptions. In return, parties are expected to actively contest elections and follow financial reporting rules.
Why Parties Are De listed
The main reason for de-listing RUPPs is their failure to contest elections for six consecutive years. Some parties also did not submit audited accounts for three financial years (2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24) or failed to file election expenditure reports, violating Election Commission rules and affecting transparency.
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How Political Parties Are De listed
Before de-listing, the Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) of the respective States and Union Territories issue show-cause notices to the parties, allowing them to respond.
After reviewing the parties’ replies, the CEOs send their reports to the Election Commission, which then decides on their removal from the register.
Effect on the Political System
Removing inactive or non-compliant parties helps streamline the electoral process, ensuring only active and serious parties receive registration benefits. It also promotes transparency in political funding and makes it easier for voters and election officials to focus on genuine participants.
Present Status and Next Steps
After the recent de-listings, 2,046 RUPPs remain registered. The Election Commission is closely monitoring compliance, with 359 parties under review for financial or reporting irregularities. These efforts aim to ensure a fair and accountable democratic process.
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