Registered political parties .vs. Recognized political parties
Registered political parties are legally approved to contest elections, while recognized political parties meet specific performance criteria and enjoy additional privileges.
Registered Political Parties
- Legal Status: Registered under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
- Purpose: Can contest elections and receive certain legal protections.
- Eligibility: Must submit an application to the Election Commission of India (ECI) with required documentation.
- Benefits:
- Can use a common symbol (if allotted).
- Eligible for tax exemptions on donations.
- Can access electoral rolls and other election-related materials.
Recognized Political Parties
- Recognition Criteria: Must meet specific performance benchmarks in elections, such as:
- Winning a certain percentage of votes.
- Securing a minimum number of seats in the legislature.
- Types:
- National Party: Recognized in four or more states and meets national-level criteria.
- State Party: Recognized in a particular state based on state-level performance.
- Additional Privileges:
- Exclusive use of a permanent election symbol.
- Free airtime on public broadcasters (Doordarshan and All India Radio).
- Access to electoral rolls and consultation rights with the ECI.
- Priority in allotment of party offices and campaign resources.
All recognized parties are registered, but only those meeting performance criteria gain recognition, which confers additional privileges and status.
Next
previous
Latest News
General Studies