New Delhi/Patna: The Election Commission of India has initiated proceedings to delist 345 registered but unrecognised political parties that have neither contested any election since 2019 nor maintained a physical presence anywhere in the country.
The action, overseen by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar along with Election Commissioners Dr Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr Vivek Joshi, is part of a broader exercise to cleanse the electoral landscape of inactive entities.
According to officials, a nationwide verification revealed that out of more than 2,800 registered unrecognised political parties (RUPPs), a significant number are failing to meet the requirements for continued registration under the Representation of the People Act, 1951. “In the first phase, 345 RUPPs have been identified which appear defunct,” the Commission said in a statement.
To ensure procedural fairness, the Commission has directed Chief Electoral Officers in the relevant states and union territories to issue show cause notices to these parties. The parties will be given a chance to respond and present their case before any final decision is made on delisting.
Under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, registered political parties—whether national, state-level or unrecognised—are entitled to various benefits, including tax exemptions. However, the Commission noted that such privileges must be reserved for active political entities contributing to the democratic process.
The current drive targets parties that have not contested Lok Sabha, state assembly or by-elections since 2019 and lack any traceable operational base. Officials confirmed that the exercise to identify and delist dormant parties will continue in subsequent phases, aiming to improve transparency and integrity in India’s political system.
“The objective is to ensure that the political space remains free from non-functional entities which could potentially misuse registration benefits,” an official said.
