Election Commission Moves To Delist 345 Inactive Registered Unrecognized Political Parties In First Phase Of Cleanup Drive

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has initiated the process of delisting 345 Registered Unrecognized Political Parties (RUPPs) that have remained inactive since 2019 and whose offices could not be physically located.

The move is part of a broader nationwide exercise aimed at cleaning up the electoral system.

These 345 RUPPs span across various States and Union Territories and have failed to contest a single election—whether general, assembly, or bye-poll—in the last six years.

The Commission noted that of the over 2,800 RUPPs currently registered with the ECI, many do not meet the essential criteria required to retain their status.

A nationwide exercise was conducted by the poll panel to identify such RUPPs and 345 such entities have already been identified till now.

To ensure that no party is unduly de-listed, the ECI has directed the CEOs of the respective States/UTs 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," the poll panel said in a statement.

Political parties in India are registered under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which offers them various privileges and advantages, including tax exemptions.

The EC clarified that this exercise has been conducted with the aim of cleaning up the political system and de-listing of such parties which have not contested any election to Lok Sabha or Legislative Assemblies of States/UTs or bye-elections since 2019 and those which could not be physically traced as well.

The Election Commission added that the identification of 345 RUPPs marks the first phase of the exercise, which will continue with the objective of cleaning up the political system.

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