The Election Commission has initiated a major crackdown on political parties that have been dormant for an extended period. The commission removed 474 unregistered political parties (RUPPs) for not participating in elections or complying with rules over the past six years. This action is part of a larger effort, with a total of 808 parties being delisted in the past two months, including a previous removal of 334 parties on August 9th. The Election Commission’s primary goal is to create a cleaner and more transparent electoral framework.
The Election Commission clarified the necessity of removing parties that had not contested elections for six consecutive years, leading to the delisting of 474 parties on September 18th. Before that, 334 parties were removed on August 9th. As a result, the total number of delisted parties has reached 808. The number of unrecognized parties has decreased from 2,520 to 2,046 nationwide. The country also has 6 national and 67 state-level recognized parties.
The timing of the commission’s action is significant, as it coincides with the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections in November. Among the affected parties, 14 are from Bihar. This directly implies that these parties will be unable to field candidates in the elections. Officials have reported that many parties did not contest elections or submit essential financial reports. During the years 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24, 359 parties were found to have failed to submit audited accounts and election expense reports.
This initiative seeks to enhance transparency within the political system. Previously, some parties were found in violation of income tax and money laundering laws. The Election Commission deems it crucial to remove inactive or suspect parties to ensure a transparent system. Under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, Section 29A, registered parties are eligible for tax exemptions and other benefits. Removing inactive parties aligns with the aim of refining the system. However, the delisted parties retain the option to re-register at a later date.