REGISTERED UNRECOGNISED POLITICAL PARTIES (RUPPS) EXPLAINED

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Context

The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the delisting of 474 Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs) for defying statutory norms, including non-participation in elections over the past six years. Following this, 2,046 RUPPs remain registered nationwide.

What are Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs)?

Definition: RUPPs are political associations registered with the Election Commission of India (ECI) under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (RPA, 1951) but not yet recognised as state or national parties based on electoral performance.

Privileges:

• Income tax exemptions under Section 13A of the Income Tax Act
• Eligibility to receive political donations, even without active electoral participation

Key Compliance Rule: Must contest at least one election every six years, failing which they face de-listing.

Delisting Criteria

As per EC guidelines:

• Parties failing to contest elections for six consecutive years are liable to delisting.
• Non-compliance with annual financial reporting, including audited accounts and election expenditure reports, is also a ground for removal.

The ECI does not have the explicit power to de-register a political party. The Supreme Court has held that the ECI can only de-register a party if its registration was obtained by fraud, if the party ceases to have allegiance to the Indian Constitution, or if it is declared unlawful by the government.

Scale and Features of RUPPs

• India currently has over 2,800 RUPPs (2025), nearly 97% of all registered political parties.
• Growth trend: Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) data shows an increase from 1,112 in 2010 to 2,858 in 2021.
• Characteristics of concern:
• Many RUPPs do not contest elections, questioning their political legitimacy.
• Financial opacity: Less than 5% filed donation reports (2013–2016).
• Misuse of tax benefits under Section 13A of IT Act.
• Many lack verifiable offices or active functioning bodies, violating RPA 1951 norms.

Recognition Criteria for Political Parties

State Party

A party must meet any one of the following:

• 6% vote + 2 assembly seats in Legislative Assembly elections
• 6% vote + 1 Lok Sabha seat from that state
• 3% assembly seats or 3 seats minimum in Assembly
• 1 Lok Sabha seat per 25 seats allocated
• 8% vote share in state-level elections

National Party

A party must meet any one of the following:

• 6% votes in 4 states + 4 Lok Sabha seats
• 2% Lok Sabha seats from at least 3 states
• Recognition as State Party in 4 or more states automatically grants National Party status

Role of ECI in Electoral Reforms and Party Regulation

Constitutional Mandate: Under Article 324, the ECI ensures free and fair elections, including party registration and oversight.

Significance of Recent De-listing Drive:

• Curbing Misuse: Prevents dormant parties from channeling unaccounted funds or misusing tax exemptions.
• Promoting Accountability: Enforces mandatory disclosures under RPA, aligning with Supreme Court directives (e.g., ADR vs Union of India, 2002) for funding transparency.
• Systemic Cleanup: Reduces clutter in voter symbols and electoral rolls; supports digital tracking via Political Parties Registration Tracking Management System (PPRTMS).
• Election Impact: Streamlines future elections (e.g., 2029 Lok Sabha polls) by reducing fringe parties and NOTA votes, enhancing voter trust.

Concerns Regarding RUPPs and Electoral Integrity

Threat to Democratic Purity: Dormant RUPPs erode public faith by associating politics with opacity; post-2024 elections, ADR flagged 2,000+ non-filers, risking black money influx.

Regional Imbalance: Concentration in populous states strains ECI resources and encourages local proxy politics.

Judicial & Policy Gaps: Despite SC mandates on donor disclosure, implementation lags; ECI autonomy is tested under political pressures.

Global Scrutiny: Electoral transparency indices (e.g., V-Dem) could decline if reforms stall, affecting FDI and diaspora confidence.

Way Forward

Periodic De-Listing Drives: Mandate annual reviews by ECI, targeting non-contesting parties; integrate AI for automated compliance checks.

Tighter Registration Norms: Amend RPA, 1951, to require minimum membership and pre-registration affidavits on funding sources.

Enhanced Audits and Oversight: Link ECI with Income Tax Dept. for real-time scrutiny of Section 13A claims; impose penalties for non-filers.

Digital Transparency: Fully operationalise PPRTMS for public dashboards on party status, filings, and audits; mandate e-verification for donations.

Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with ADR and civil society for monitoring; educate via SVEEP (Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation) campaigns on responsible party formation to deter misuse.

Source: The Hindu