Registration of Political Parties in India

Q Why is it in News ?

A Former Punjab CM has announced that he will be forming his own political party in Punjab ahead of the state assembly elections.

Q What is procedure for Registering a Political Party ?

A 

• The registration of all political parties is governed by the provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
• According to the Election Commission (EC), any party seeking registration has to submit an application to the Commission within a period of 30 days.
• This is done as per guidelines prescribed by the EC in exercise of the powers conferred by Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 29A of the RP Act, 1951.
• There is no procedure available for de-registration of dormant political parties.

Process of registration

• The applicant is asked to publish a proposed party name in two national daily newspapers and two local daily newspapers, and provide two days for submitting objections, if any.
• The notice for publication is also displayed on the website of the Election Commission.

Q Why registering with the EC is important?

A 

• It is not mandatory to register with the Election Commission.
• However, registering as a political party with the EC has its advantage in terms of intending to avail itself of the provisions of the RP Act, 1951.
• The candidates set up by a political party registered with the EC will get preference in the matter of allotment of free symbols vis-à-vis purely independent candidates.
• More importantly, these registered political parties, over course of time, can get recognition as a ‘state party’ or a ‘national party’.

Q How EC recognises a political party as a state or national party?

A For recognition as a NATIONAL PARTY, the conditions specified are:

1. a 6% vote share in the last Assembly polls in each of any four states, as well as four seats in the last Lok Sabha polls; or
2. 2% of all Lok Sabha seats in the last such election, with MPs elected from at least three states; or
3. recognition as a state party in at least four states.

For recognition as a STATE PARTY, any one of five conditions needs to be satisfied:

1. two seats plus a 6% vote share in the last Assembly election in that state; or
2. one seat plus a 6% vote share in the last Lok Sabha election from that state; or
3. 3% of the total Assembly seats or 3 seats, whichever is more; or
4. one of every 25 Lok Sabha seats (or an equivalent fraction) from a state; or
5. an 8% state-wide vote share in either the last Lok Sabha or the last Assembly polls.

Q What are Benefits for recognized parties ?

A 

• This is subject to the fulfilment of the conditions prescribed by the Commission in the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968.

(a) Reserved Sybol

• If a party is recognised as a ‘state party’, it is entitled for exclusive allotment of its reserved symbol to the candidates set up by it in the state in which it is so recognised. If a party is recognised as a ‘national party’ it is entitled for exclusive allotment of its reserved symbol to the candidates set up by it throughout India.

(b) Proposer for nomination

• Recognised ‘state’ and ‘national’ parties need only one proposer for filing the nomination.

(c) Campaigning benefits

• They are also entitled for two sets of electoral rolls free of cost and broadcast/telecast facilities over state-owned Akashvani/Doordarshan during the general elections.