Priyanka Tiwari
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Suspense crime, Digital Desk : New Delhi, India – In a major move to cleanse the political system, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has initiated the process of delisting 345 political parties that were found to be "non-existent" and in violation of key electoral laws.
This nationwide crackdown is the result of a thorough verification drive conducted by the Chief Electoral Officers of various states. The review found that these parties existed only on paper, flouting multiple mandatory requirements under the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
The specific violations that led to this action include:
Failure to Submit Financial Reports: A large number of these parties had not filed their mandatory contribution reports or annual audited accounts with the ECI.
Non-Existent on the Ground: During physical verification of their registered addresses, these parties were found to be untraceable.
Outdated Information: The parties had failed to communicate any change in their official address, office bearers, or PAN number, as required by law.
These parties are classified as Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs). While they are registered with the ECI, they have not secured enough votes in state or national elections to be recognized as a state or national party.
By delisting these inactive or "ghost" parties, the ECI aims to ensure transparency and accountability in the electoral process. The move is also seen as a crucial step to prevent the potential misuse of political party status for illicit activities, such as money laundering or claiming tax exemptions on donations without any genuine political activity.
Once delisted, these entities will lose their status as a registered political party and will be ineligible for the benefits that come with it. This decisive action sends a strong signal that the ECI is committed to ensuring that only serious and compliant political players remain on the electoral rolls.
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