Rules For Allocation of Symbols to Registered Unrecognised Political Parties

January 5, 2024

GS Paper II Polity

Context: The Election Commission of India has brought in new rules for allocation of symbols to Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs).

New Rules for Allocation of Symbols to Registered Unrecognised Political Parties

As per new rules, audited accounts of the last three financial years, expenditure statements of last two elections, and the signature of the authorized office-bearer of the party are needed for allocation of symbols.
Symbol: After furnishing these details, the Registered Unrecognised Political Parties will be eligible for ‘concession of common symbol allotment’.
- The symbol is allotted as per the Election Symbols (Reservation & Allotment) Order, 1968
Applicability: The new rules would come into effect from January 11, 2024.

About Election Commission of India

It is an autonomous constitutional authority (Article 324) responsible for conducting Union and State election processes in India.
Composition: The Election Commission shall consist of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and such number of other election commissioners, if any, as the President may from time-to-time fix.
Tenure: The Election Commissioners have a fixed tenure of six years, or up to the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
Removal: They can resign anytime or can be removed before the expiry of their term.
- The CEC can be removed from office only through a process of removal similar to that of a Supreme Court judge by Parliament.

Read More About: Election Commission of India

What are Registered Unrecognised Political Parties?

Definition: Registered Unrecognised Political Parties are either newly-registered parties or those which have not secured enough percentage of votes in the Assembly or general election to become a State party, or those that have never contested elections after being registered.
- In the 2019 Lok Sabha election, only 30% of RUPPs contested.Such parties don’t enjoy all the benefits extended to the recognised parties.
Registration of the Political Parties are governed under Representation of the People Act (RPA) of 1951.

Requirement For Allocation Of Symbols

Common symbols are provided to RUPPs based upon an undertaking that they would put up “at least 5% of total candidates with regard to said Legislative Assembly election of a State”.

News Source: The Hindu