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Election Commission's 30-Day Ultimatum: Why Party Constitutions Are Now Public

The Election Commission has issued a significant new directive. It's asking all recognised national and state political parties to hand over their constitutions. They have just 30 days to provide the latest version along with any amendments. This move aims to boost transparency and ensure parties follow their own democratic rules.

Key Points: ECI Asks Recognised Political Parties to Submit Constitutions in 30 Days

  • ECI directive follows Supreme Court hearing on party constitution adherence
  • Party constitutions contain vital objectives and democratic procedures for members
  • Information must be public knowledge to strengthen the electoral space
  • Commission uses powers from Article 324 and RP Act, 1951 for guidelines
2 min read

ECI seeks copies of recognised political parties' constitutions within 30 days

The Election Commission of India mandates all recognised parties to submit their latest constitution and amendments within 30 days for public transparency.

"It's requested that the copy of the latest party constitution... should be furnished to the ECI, within 30 days, so as to upload the latest constitution on the website of the ECI. - Ashwani Kumar Mohal, ECI Secretary"

New Delhi, Dec 8

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday asked all National and State recognised political parties to provide a copy of their outfit’s latest constitution, along with amendments, within 30 days.

The missive comes close to discussions on the issue of the adherence to party constitution by political parties during a hearing in the Supreme Court in Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay versus Union of India matter, said an official statement.

“As the party constitution is an important document containing vital information regarding the objectives of the party and procedures it must follow for functioning in a democratic manner, this information is required to be disseminated to all party members for compliance by them and for the public at large for their knowledge,” said the ECI letter.

Furthermore, for overall strengthening of the electoral space, it is essential that all parties must adhere to the provisions contained in their party constitution, it said.

The letter, written by Ashwani Kumar Mohal, Secretary, ECI, said, “It's requested that the copy of the latest party constitution, along with all its amendments up-to-date, should be furnished to the ECI, within 30 days, so as to upload the latest constitution on the website of the ECI.”

The ECI official said that in exercise of the powers conferred on the Commission by Article 324 of the Constitution of India and Section 29A (6) of the RP Act, 1951, the Commission has prescribed guidelines and an application format for registration of the political parties.

These guidelines stipulate the documents/information that must accompany the application for registration of a political party, it said.

Mohal wrote, “I am directed to state that political parties are registered with the Election Commission under section 29A (1) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. The sub-section (5) thereof provides that ‘the application for registration under subsection (1) shall be accompanied by a copy of the memorandum or rules and regulations of the association or body, by whatever name called’…"

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priyanka N
Good step, but will it be enforced? We see so many parties where internal elections are a joke and top leadership is decided by one family or a small group. Let's see if the ECI actually takes action against those who violate their own constitutions.
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Arjun K
Finally! Party constitutions gathering dust in some office while leaders do whatever they want. This is about accountability. The public has a right to know the rules these parties claim to operate by. Hope they upload everything promptly on the website.
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Sarah B
As someone who follows Indian politics closely, this is a significant procedural move. It strengthens the institutional framework. The reference to the Supreme Court hearing shows judicial oversight is driving much-needed electoral reforms.
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Vikram M
Transparency is good, but I hope this doesn't become just another paperwork exercise. The real test is internal democracy - are workers' voices heard? Are tickets given fairly? That's what matters to the common voter like me.
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Karthik V
Respectfully, while the intention is noble, the ECI should also focus on more pressing issues like election spending caps and model code violations that happen blatantly. This feels like a compliance formality that won't change ground realities. The core issues of money and muscle power remain.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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