ECI Delists 121 Inactive Parties in Uttar Pradesh
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has delisted 121 political parties in Uttar Pradesh after finding them inactive. These parties have not contested either Lok Sabha or Assembly elections since 2019, and their continued registration was deemed unnecessary. The move is part of a wider clean-up drive to ensure that only active and functioning political organizations remain on the rolls.
Spread Across Districts
According to officials, the delisted parties are spread across 51 districts of Uttar Pradesh, covering both urban and rural regions. These organizations will no longer enjoy the privileges available to registered parties under the Representation of the People Act, the Income Tax Act, and the Election Symbols Order. This means they will lose benefits such as access to common symbols, tax exemptions, and recognition in the electoral system.
Reason for Delisting
The ECI regularly monitors the activity of registered parties. Parties that fail to contest elections over a sustained period are considered inactive. In this case, the failure to participate in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and subsequent Assembly elections became the basis for delisting. Officials added that the presence of inactive parties creates unnecessary administrative burden and complicates the monitoring of financial transactions.
Right to Appeal
The ECI has given these delisted parties 30 days to appeal the decision. Parties can submit their representations to the Commission in New Delhi, providing evidence or reasons why they should retain their registration. If their appeal is accepted, some may be restored to the active list.
