ECI moves to delist 345 parties

New Delhi

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday initiated the process to delist 345 registered unrecognised political parties (RUPPs) for failing to meet essential conditions mandated under the Representation of the People Act.

According to the ECI, these parties have not contested a single election in the past six years, dating back to 2019. Additionally, efforts to physically locate their registered offices have failed, raising further concerns about their operational status. These 345 parties are spread across various states and Union Territories of India.

The Commission stated that out of more than 2,800 RUPPs currently on record, many have been found non-compliant with mandatory requirements. Continued registration without electoral participation or a verifiable presence undermines transparency in the democratic process, the ECI said.

This move follows the Commission’s ongoing efforts to clean up the electoral ecosystem and ensure that political parties maintain minimum levels of activity and transparency. Delisting would remove the benefits these parties currently enjoy under the law, including tax exemptions and entitlement to electoral symbols.

The ECI has clarified that due process will be followed before any party is officially removed from the register. Parties have been given an opportunity to respond or rectify discrepancies in their documentation. This is not the first time the ECI has cracked down on inactive political entities. Over recent years, it has intensified scrutiny of RUPPs amid concerns about misuse for financial irregularities or non-political activities. The current action is seen as part of a broader push for electoral reforms and improved accountability.