Patna: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has struck 17 registered unrecognised political parties in Bihar from its list, citing failure to meet eligibility requirements. The decision forms part of a wider national action in which 334 such parties across India have been delisted, reducing the total number of registered unrecognised political parties from 2,854 to 2,520.
According to the ECI’s statement on Saturday, the affected parties will no longer be entitled to benefits under Sections 29B and 29C of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, or the Election Symbol (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968. Parties have been given 30 days to appeal the decision.
The commission said the removals followed a review that found these organisations had not contested any elections in the past six years, from 2019 onwards, and that their offices could not be located at the registered addresses. The addresses of all affected parties nationwide were verified before action was taken.
The Bihar parties removed from the register include the Bhartiya Backward Party, Bhartiya Suraj Dal, Bhartiya Yuva Party (Democratic), Bhartiya Janta Sanatan Dal, Bihar Janata Party, Desi Kisan Party, Gandhi Prakash Party, Hamdard Jan Patrakshak Samajwadi Vikas Party (Jan Sevak), Krantikari Samajwadi Party, Krantikari Vikas Dal, Lok Awaaz Dal, Loktantrik Samta Dal, National Janata Party (Indian), Rashtriya Jan Congress, Rashtriya Sarvodaya Party, Sarvajan Kalyan Democratic Party and Vyapari Kisan Minority Morcha.
