The Election Commission of India has announced the delisting of 334 registered unrecognised political parties (RUPPs) from its official records, citing their prolonged inactivity and inability to meet basic participation requirements. According to the poll panel, these parties had failed to contest even a single election—whether for the Lok Sabha, the Legislative Assemblies of states and Union Territories, or byelections—over a span of six years since 2019.
In addition to their absence from the electoral fray, the commission noted that the offices of these 334 parties could not be physically located despite efforts to trace them. Officials explained that this inability to establish a physical presence raises questions about the continued legitimacy and operational status of such entities.
These delisted RUPPs are spread across different states and Union Territories, indicating that the problem of dormant and non-compliant political entities is not confined to a particular region but is instead a nationwide concern. The poll panel emphasised that the decision forms part of a broader strategy to maintain transparency and accountability in the political system.
Before the cleanup exercise, the country had a total of 2,854 registered unrecognised political parties. Following the delisting, this number has now been reduced to 2,520. In contrast, India currently has six recognised national parties and 67 recognised state parties that meet the prescribed conditions to retain their status.
The delisting comes after a process initiated in June 2025, when the Election Commission began proceedings against 345 such inactive political entities. Following a thorough review, 334 were removed from the register, while the remainder either provided satisfactory explanations or demonstrated evidence of continued operations.
Officials pointed out that this is not the first time such action has been taken. Since 2001, the Election Commission has carried out similar cleanup drives “three to four” times to weed out defunct parties from the rolls. The legal backdrop is shaped by a Supreme Court ruling, which bars the commission from “derecognising” political parties, as this power is not explicitly provided under the law.
However, the commission has developed a mechanism to “delist” inactive parties. This approach allows for such entities to be restored to the register if they meet the necessary requirements, without having to undergo the process of obtaining fresh recognition from scratch. Former EC officials note that this system offers flexibility while still allowing the poll body to maintain the integrity of its records.
The move also addresses a history of misuse by certain RUPPs. In the past, some of these parties have been found violating provisions of income tax laws and the anti-money laundering framework. Such violations underscore the risks of allowing dormant or non-functional political outfits to continue enjoying the privileges that come with registration.
Under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, political parties—whether national, state, or unrecognised—are registered with the Election Commission. This registration provides several advantages, including eligibility for tax exemptions and access to certain electoral facilities. Officials stressed that these benefits must be matched by a minimum level of electoral participation and compliance with legal norms.
The commission stated that the primary aim of the current exercise is to strengthen the political system by eliminating entities that exist only on paper and have failed to engage in the democratic process for years. The inability to physically locate the offices of many of these parties further reinforced the decision to delist them.
This latest development comes at a politically sensitive time, with the Bihar assembly elections on the horizon. Delisted parties will be barred from fielding candidates in any upcoming elections unless they are reinstated by the Election Commission after meeting the requisite conditions. Officials believe this measure will help streamline the electoral process and ensure that only active, accountable political entities participate in the country’s democratic framework.
