EC deletes 111 ‘non-existent’ Registered Unrecognised Political Parties from list of registered political outfits

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has decided to delete 111 non-existent Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs) from list of registered political outfits.

Key highlights

• The ECI issued an order dated May 25, 2022 to nudge the Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs) for ensuring due compliances.

• In the said order, Chief Electoral Officers were directed to initiate action for enforcing due compliances by RUPPs for relevant sections 29A and 29C of the RP Act 1951.

• As a follow up to the 25th May, 2022 decision to delete the 87 non-existent RUPPs, in the second phase of the current exercise, the Commission on 20th June, 2022 decided to delete 111 additional RUPPs from the register.

• These 111 RUPPs, whose address of communication, was statutorily required as registration requirement under section 29A(4); any change in address was required to be communicated to the ECI under section 29A(9), which they have not complied with.

• CEOs have reported that these RUPPs either have been found to be non-existent on verification or the letters issued by them, in pursuance to the Commission’s order dated 25.05.2022 have returned undelivered by the postal department.

Provisions

• While the EC has the power to register parties under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, it does not have the power to deregister parties that are inactive.

• The Income Tax Act, 1961, exempts from tax any income donated to political parties. The recipient party also does not have to pay any income tax.

• Further, amounts less than Rs 2,000 can be donated anonymously.

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