REGISTERED UNRECOGNISED POLITICAL PARTIES (RUPPs)

CURRENT CONTEXT : The Election Commission of India (ECI) has recently de-listed 474 Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs) for not contesting elections in the last six years and flouting mandatory compliance norms.

ABOUT RUPPs

• Definition: Parties either newly registered or those failing to secure the required vote share to be recognised as state/national parties. Some have never contested elections.
• Benefits enjoyed:
  • Tax exemption under Section 13A, Income Tax Act, 1961
  • Common poll symbols (if contesting at least 5% of candidates in an election)
  • Permission to nominate up to 20 star campaigners
• Mandatory compliance:
  • Contest elections periodically
  • File annual audit accounts and contribution reports
  • Disclose donations above ₹20,000 and restrict cash donations to ₹2,000

REGISTRATION OF PARTIES

• Registered under Section 29A, Representation of the People Act (RPA), 1951
• Recognition brings reserved election symbol, free broadcast facilities, electoral rolls, and higher campaign benefits

CONDITIONS FOR RECOGNITION

• State Party: 3% Assembly seats / 1 Lok Sabha seat per 25 seats of state / 6% votes + seat win / 8% vote share
• National Party: 6% votes in 4+ states + 4 LS seats / 2% Lok Sabha seats from 3 states / recognised state party in 4+ states