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Key Points

The Election Commission has launched proceedings to delist 345 unrecognized political parties that haven't contested elections since 2019. State CEOs will issue show-cause notices before final decisions are made. This nationwide cleanup aims to remove inactive parties enjoying tax benefits. The ECI plans to continue identifying more non-functional RUPPs in future phases.

Key Points: Election Commission Moves to Delist 345 Inactive Political Parties

  • ECI identifies 345 inactive RUPPs nationwide
  • Parties failed to contest elections since 2019
  • CEOs to issue show-cause notices
  • Final delisting decision rests with ECI
2 min read

Election Commission initiates proceedings to delist 345 RUPPs

ECI initiates action against 345 unrecognized parties failing to contest elections since 2019 as part of political cleanup drive.

"These 345 RUPPs have failed to contest even a single election in six years and could not be physically located – Election Commission"

New Delhi, June 27

The Election Commission of India (ECI), under the Chairmanship of Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar along with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, has started proceedings for the delisting of 345 Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs) which have failed to fulfil the essential condition of contesting even a single election for the last six years since 2019 and the offices of these parties could not be physically located anywhere.

According to a release from the Election Commission, these 345 RUPPs are from different States and UTs across the country.

It has come to the notice of the Commission that of the over 2,800 RUPPs currently registered with ECI, many RUPPs have failed to fulfil the essential conditions that are required to continue as an RUPP. Thus, a nationwide exercise was conducted by the ECI to identify such RUPPs, and 345 have already been identified to date.

In order to ensure that no party is unduly de-listed, the CEOs of the respective States/UTs have been directed to issue show-cause notices to such RUPPs, following which, these parties will be given an opportunity through a hearing by the concerned CEOs. The final decision regarding the de-listing of any RUPP shall be taken by the Election Commission of India.

Political parties (national, state, and RUPPs) in the country are registered with the ECI under the provisions of Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Under this provision, any association that is once registered as a political party receives certain privileges and advantages, such as tax exemptions, among others.

This exercise has been conducted with the aim of cleaning up the political system and delisting parties that have not contested any election to the Lok Sabha or the Legislative Assemblies of States/UTs or bye-elections since 2019, as well as those that could not be physically traced. These 345 RUPPs have been identified in the first phase of this exercise, which shall be continued with the objective of cleaning up the political system.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
Finally! This was long overdue. So many of these parties exist only on paper to enjoy tax benefits. They make a mockery of our democracy. Kudos to ECI for taking this bold step 👏
P
Priya M.
Good move but why wait for 6 years? Should be 2-3 years max. Also, what about parties that contest just one election and then disappear? The rules need to be stricter.
A
Arjun S.
I hope this isn't just for show. Many of these RUPPs are fronts for money laundering. ECI should also investigate their funding sources before delisting them.
N
Neha T.
While I support this action, I wonder how many of these parties will suddenly "reappear" when they get the notice. The system needs constant monitoring, not just one-time cleanup.
S
Sanjay D.
This is a welcome step, but what about parties that contest elections just to forfeit deposits? They're equally useless and should be included in this cleanup.
M
Meena R.
The tax exemptions given to political parties need complete overhaul. Why should any party get benefits if they're not actively participating in elections? Taxpayers' money shouldn't be wasted like this.
V
Vikram J.
I hope ECI maintains transparency in this process. The list of 345 parties should be made public along with reasons for each delisting. Public scrutiny will ensure fairness.

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