Context: Election commission using its power under The Election Symbols (Reservation And Allotment) Order, 1968 withdrew the National Party Status of Trinamool congress (TMC), Nationalist congress party (NCP) and Communist party of India (CPI). However, It also accorded the status of national party to the Aam Admi Party (APP).
The Election Symbols (Reservation And Allotment) Order, 1968
- Para 6A deals with Conditions for recognition as a State Party ;
- Para 6B deals with the Conditions for recognition as a National Party
- Para 6C delas with Conditions for continued recognition as a National or State party.
As per the Election Commission of India’s latest review, at present, there are Six political parties which are the status of recognised National Parties.
- Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)
- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
- Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M)
- Indian National Congress (INC)
- National People’s Party (NPP)
- Aam Admi Party (AAP)
Conditions for recognition as a State Party (6A)
A political party shall be eligible for recognition as a State party in a State, if, and only if, any of the following conditions is fulfilled
- At the last general election to the Legislative Assembly of the State, the candidates set up by the party have secured not less than six percent of the total valid votes polled in the State; and, in addition, the party has returned at least two members to the Legislative Assembly of that State at such general election; or
- At the last general election to the House of the People from that State, the candidates set up by the party have secured not less than six percent of the total valid votes polled in the State; and, in addition, the party has returned at least one member to the House of the People from that State at such general election; or
- At the last general election to the Legislative Assembly of the State, the party has won at least three percent of the total number of seats in the Legislative Assembly, or at least three seats in the Assembly, whichever is more; or
- At the last general election to the House of the People from the State, the party has returned at least one member to the House of the People for every 25 members or any fraction thereof allotted to that State;] or
- At the last general election to the House of the People from the State, or at the last general election to the Legislative Assembly of the State, the candidates set up by the Party have secured not less than eight percent of the total valid votes polled in the State.
Conditions for recognition as a National Party (6B)
A political party shall be eligible to be recognized as National party, if, and only if, any of the following conditions is fulfilled
- The candidates set up by the party, in any four or more States, at the last general election to the House of the People, or to the Legislative Assembly of the State concerned, have secured not less than six percent of the total valid votes polled in each of those States at that general election; and, in addition, it has returned at least four members to the House of the People at the aforesaid last general election from any State or States; or
- At the last general election to the House of the People, the party has won at least two percent of the total number of seats in the House of the People, and the party’s candidates have been elected to that House from not less than three States; or
- The party is recognized as State party in at least four States.
- Conditions for continued recognition as a National or State party (6C)
If a political party is recognised as a State party under paragraph 6A, or as a National party under paragraph 6B, the question whether it shall continue to be so recognised after any subsequent general election to the House of the People or, as the case may be, to the Legislative Assembly of the State concerned, shall be dependent upon the fulfilment by it of the conditions specified in the said paragraphs on the results of that general election.
Significance of being recognised as National or State Parties
- Apart from those recognised as state or national party , the other parties are simply declared as registered-unrecognised parties.
- RPA allows political parties to accept contributions voluntarily offered to it by any person or company other than a government company.
- Candidates of registered parties get preference in allotment of election symbols. Other Candidates are identified as independents and do not get preference in symbol allocation.
- 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.
- Recognised `State’ and `National’ parties need only one proposer for filing the nomination and are also entitled for two sets of electoral rolls free of cost at the time of revision of rolls and their candidates get one copy of electoral roll free of cost during General Elections.
- They get broadcast/telecast facilities over Akashvani/Doordarshan during general elections.
- A recognized National or State party can have a maximum of 40 “Star campaigners” and a registered un-recognised party can nominate a maximum of 20 ‘Star Campaigners”. The travel expenses of star campaigners are not to be accounted for in the election expense accounts of candidates of their party.
