Briefly explain the procedure laid down in the Representation of the People Act (RPA), 1951 for the registration of political parties with the Election Commission of India (ECI). What are Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs)? What concerns are associated with them? Does the ECI have powers to de-register a political party?

Representation of People Act, 1951 provides for procedure of registration under Section 29A of RPA, 1951 Procedure for registration of political parties on ECI: ① Unique name assignment to political party ② Based on historical background: - It has presence in more than 3 states with 18 seats then national party - It has won more than 6 state legislative seats → regional party - It a new registered party, member of nominees - proposer & seconder ③ Symbol allocation by ECI to political party ④ Disbursement of funds – minimum needed by political party

⑤ Registration also requires: - Minimum number of party members - Presence of party check - Leadership registration Registered Unrecognised Political Parties: - There are about 1,012 of total parties which are Unrecognised political parties (ADR Report) - Unrecognised parties are those who have NOT → gained any loksabha, rajya sabha or big Assembly seat, Not achieved minimum number of votes, Not yet achieved symbols unique, Not have significant presence in region or nation, Not given status of regional/national party, Not gained enough party supporters or members Issues with RUPPs: ① Shell parties: used to divert black money and chamfered funds ② Non disclosure of funding by unrecognised parties, 49% of their donot disclose funds ③ Non-transparent as these are corruption hubs ④ Lack of opportunity to unrecognised parties by vulnerable sections → as low fund, low skills, low campaign time ⑤ RUPP not given equal campaign time by ECI due to lack of 1% voting data – min requirement

Issues with RUPP continued: ① Shell parties: used to divert black money and championed funds ② Non disclosure of funding by unrecognised parties → 49% of them donot disclose funds ③ Non-transparent as these are corruption hubs ④ Lack of opportunity to unrecognised parties by vulnerable sections → as low fund, low skills, low campaign time ⑤ RUPP not given equal campaign time by ECI due to lack of 1% voting data – min requirement ECI → NO POWER TO DEREGISTER PARTIES Way Forward: ① Riesta Gowami → ECI power to deregister political parties ② Sundeep Gupta committee → State Funding of elections equal opportunity to RUPP ③ Public disclosure of funding (2013) by EWPP ④ Monitoring all parties

— KRUPA A JAIN · AIR 190