Context:
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi denied a common symbol by the ECI in Tamil Nadu
Symbols allotted to Political Parties:
- Allotted as per the – Provisions of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968 (Symbols Order) by Election Commission of India
- Recognised political party – Has a reserved symbol that is not allotted to any other candidate in any constituency
- Registered but Unrecognised political parties (RUPP)- One of the free symbols is allotted as a common symbol during an election if that party contests in two Lok Sabha constituencies or in 5% of seats to the Assembly of a State as the case may be.
- Recently, Election Commission of India made it mandatory for RUPPs to furnish audited accounts of last 3 financial years, expenditure statements of last 2 elections, and the signature of the authorised office-bearer of the party along with the application form for symbols.
Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPP):
- RUPP – includes parties that are:
- Either newly registered parties
- Or those which have not secured enough percentage of votes in the assembly or general elections to become a state party
- Or those which have never contested elections since being registered are considered unrecognised parties.
- Such parties don’t enjoy all the benefits extended to the recognised parties.
Recognised Political Party:
- Recognised Political Party – A recognised political party shall either be a National party or a State party if it meets certain laid down conditions.
- Eligibility –
- To become a National Party
- If it secures 6% of valid votes polled in any 4 or more states at a general election to the Lok Sabha or to the legislative assembly and in addition, it wins four seats in the Lok Sabha from any state or states, or
- If it wins 2% of seats in the Lok Sabha at a general election and these candidates are elected from 3 states, or
- If it is recognised as a state party in 4 states.
- To become a State Party
- If it secures 6% of the valid votes polled in the state at a general election to the legislative assembly of the state concerned and in addition, either it wins 2 seats in the assembly of the state concerned or it wins 1 seat in the Lok Sabha from the state concerned or
- If it wins 3% of seats in the legislative assembly at a general election to the legislative assembly of the state concerned or 3 seats in the assembly, whichever is more or
- If it wins 1 seat in the Lok Sabha for every 25 seats or any fraction thereof allotted to the state at a general election to the Lok Sabha from the state concerned or
- If it secures 8% of the total valid votes polled in the state at a General Election to the Lok Sabha from the state or to the legislative assembly of the state. This condition was added in 2011.
- To become a National Party
- Benefits – Receives certain privileges like allocation of the party symbols, provision of time for political broadcasts on the state-owned television and radio stations and free access to electoral rolls.
Source: The Hindu
Previous Year Question
With reference to anti-defection law in India, consider the following statements:
1. The law specifies that a nominated legislator cannot join any political party within six months of being appointed to the House.
2. The law does not provide any time-frame within which the presiding officer has to decide a defection case.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2022 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is not correct. A nominated member of a House shall be disqualified for being a member of the House if he joins any political party after the expiry of six months from the date on which he takes his seat.
