ECI Starts Proceedings To Delist 345 Dormant Registered Unrecognised Political Parties

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has initiated proceedings to delist 345 Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs) that have failed to contest a single election in the past six years. The poll body was unable to trace the offices of these parties.

According to an ECI release, the 345 RUPPs are from across the country. Reports indicate that over 2,800 RUPPs are currently registered with the ECI, many of which have failed to meet the necessary conditions to operate as an RUPP. Following a nationwide exercise, the ECI identified 345 RUPPs that did not fulfil the required criteria.

Before a final decision is taken, these 345 RUPPs will be given an opportunity to present their case in a hearing conducted by the respective Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) to ensure no party is delisted unfairly. The CEOs of the concerned States and Union Territories (UTs) have been directed to issue show-cause notices to these RUPPs.

The ECI release stated, "A nationwide exercise was conducted by the ECI to identify such RUPPs, and 345 have been identified so far. To ensure that no party is unduly delisted, the CEOs of the respective States/UTs have been directed to issue show-cause notices. These parties will then be given an opportunity to present their case in a hearing conducted by the concerned CEOs. The final decision regarding the delisting of any RUPP will be taken by the Election Commission of India."

Political parties, whether national, state-level, or unrecognised, are registered with the ECI under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Once registered, these associations enjoy certain privileges, including tax exemptions.

This exercise aims to cleanse the political system by delisting parties that have not contested any elections, whether for the Lok Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, UTs, or by-elections, since 2019, as well as those whose physical whereabouts could not be verified. The 345 RUPPs identified in the first phase mark the beginning of an ongoing effort to streamline the political framework.

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