Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: EC, Political parties and related provisions
Central Idea
- The Election Commission of India (EC) recently revised its list of recognised national and state parties.
The EC’s decision
- The EC recognised AAP as a national party and revoked the national party status of TMC, NCP and CPI.
- It also revoked the state party status granted to Rashtriya Lok Dal in Uttar Pradesh, Bharat Rashtra Samithi in Andhra Pradesh, People’s Democratic Alliance (Manipur), Pattali Makkal Katchi (Puducherry), Revolutionary Socialist Party (West Bengal) and Mizoram People’s Conference (Mizoram).
- The EC laid down strict technical criteria for a party to be recognised as a national party, based entirely on its electoral performance. A party may gain or lose national/state party status from time to time, depending on the fulfilment of these conditions.
Process of recognition and derecognition
- Election Symbols Order, 1968: The process of recognition and derecognition is stipulated under the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968, which lays down the criteria for recognition as a national or state party.
- Specific stipulations: The order has specific stipulations which also find concurrence in the EC’s Political Parties and Election Symbols, 2019 Handbook.
- Based on poll performance: The EC’s decision was based on a review of the parties’ poll performances since 2014.
What is a National Party?
- The name suggests that a national party would be one that has a presence ‘nationally’, as opposed to a regional party whose presence is restricted to only a particular state or region.
- National parties are usually India’s bigger parties.
- However, some smaller parties, like the communist parties, are also recognised as national parties.
- A certain stature is sometimes associated with being a national party, but this does not necessarily translate into having a lot of national political clout.
Criteria for recognition of political parties
| Criteria | National Party | State Party |
| At least 6% of valid votes in 4+ states OR 4 Lok Sabha seats from at least 3 states OR recognition as a state party in at least 4 states | ✓ | |
| 2% of all Lok Sabha seats in the last such election, with MPs elected from at least three states. | ✓ | |
| Two seats plus a 6% vote share in the last Assembly election in that state | ✓ | |
| One seat plus a 6% vote share in the last Lok Sabha election from that state | ✓ | |
| 3% of the total Assembly seats or 3 seats, whichever is more. | ✓ | |
| One of every 25 Lok Sabha seats (or an equivalent fraction) from a state. | ✓ | |
| An 8% state-wide vote share in either the last Lok Sabha or the last Assembly polls. | ✓ |
Benefits of recognition as a national party
| Benefit | Description |
| Election symbol | The election symbol of the party will remain unchanged across India, making it easier for voters to identify and vote for the party. |
| Free broadcast/telecast time | National parties get free broadcast/telecast time on Akashvani and Doordarshan during the general election, giving them greater visibility and reach. |
| Star campaigners | National parties can have a maximum of 40 star campaigners whose travel expenses will not be counted in the accounts of the candidates. |
| Consultation with the Election Commission | National parties will have the privilege of consultation with the EC in the setting of election dates, and giving inputs in setting electoral rules and regulations. |
| Top slots on the EVM/ballot paper | Top slots on the EVM/ballot paper are reserved for national parties, giving them greater visibility and prominence on the ballot. |
Perception and legal challenges
- The greater impact, however, will be concerning the public perception of the party, which is why many who have lost national party status are planning to go to courts.
- Some parties are questioning the power of the EC though it stands legitimised by the Supreme Court.
- The EC has no discretion in the matter as the rules are very specific and repeatedly emphasise that a party is eligible if, and only if it fulfils all criteria.
Conclusion
- The EC’s decision to revise the list of recognized national and state parties has faced legal challenges from some parties questioning the power of the EC. However, the EC’s decision is based on strict technical criteria laid down by the EC and the process of recognition and derecognition is stipulated under the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968.
Mains Question
Q. The Election Commission of India (EC) recently revised its list of recognised national and state parties. In this light highlight the criteria for recognition of political parties and discuss the benefits of recognition as a national party
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