REGISTERED UNRECOGNISED POLITICAL PARTIES

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The Election Commission has delisted 111 additional Registered Unrecognised Political Parties.
- On verification, many of these Political parties either are non-existent or the letters issued to them have returned undelivered.

Registered Unrecognised Political Parties

There are total 2,360 political parties registered with the Election Commission of India and about 50% of them are unrecognised parties.
Unrecognised Political Parties are those newly registered parties which have not secured enough percentage of votes in the assembly or general elections to become a state party, or which have never contested elections since registered.
- They don’t enjoy the benefits extended to the recognised parties.
A Political Party is called a Recognised Political Party if it meets certain conditions.
- Won a certain percentage of valid votes or a certain number of seats in the State legislative assembly or the Lok Sabha in the last election.

Election Commission of India

It is a permanent constitutional body.
Article 324 of the constitution establishes the Election Commission of India.
It was established on 25th January 1950.
It supervises the conduct of elections to Parliament and Legislature of every State and elections to the offices of President and Vice-President of India.
It consists of the Chief Election Commissioner and two Election Commissioners.
- Originally, there was only Chief Election Commissioner, there were no Election Commissioners.

Powers of the Election Commission

The EC enjoys complete autonomy and is insulated from any interference from the Executive.
It also functions as a quasi-judicial body regarding matters related to elections and electoral disputes.
Its recommendations are binding on the President of India.
However, its decisions are subject to judicial review by High Courts and the Supreme Court acting on electoral petitions.
During the election process, the entire Central and state government machinery (including paramilitary and police forces) is deemed to be on deputation to the Commission.
The Commission takes effective control of government personnel and movable and immovable property for the successful conduct of elections.

Functions of the Election Commission

Demarcation of constituencies.
Preparation of electoral rolls.
Issue notification of election dates and schedules.
Establish and enforce a code of conduct.
Scrutiny of nomination papers of candidates.
Scrutiny of election expenses.
Allot symbols and accord recognition to political parties.
Render advice to the President and Governors regarding the disqualification of MPs and MLAs.
Allot schedules for broadcast and telecast of party campaigns.
Grant exemptions to persons from disqualifications imposed by judicial decisions.