A state political party can be derecognized by the Election Commission...
- The Election Commission of India (ECI) has suspended recognition of the P. A. Sangma-led National People’s Party (NPP) which was a recognized state party in Meghalaya.
- ECI decision in this regard comes in line with the Supreme Court’s judgement in the case of Common Cause vs Union of India and others. In this judgement, SC had made it compulsory for all political parties to file their election expenditure statement within 75 days of assembly elections and 90 days of Lok Sabha elections. The de-recognition of a party does not mean it's banned.
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A state political party can be derecognized by the Election Commission...
Understanding Derecognition of Political Parties by the Election Commission of India
The Election Commission of India has specific criteria under which a political party can be derecognized. The options presented in the question relate to these criteria:
1. Failure to Submit Poll Expenses
- Political parties are required to maintain transparency regarding their financial activities, including the submission of poll expenses.
- If a party fails to submit its election expenditure details, it can lead to derecognition as transparency is a fundamental aspect of electoral integrity.
2. Non-disclosure under the RTI Act
- While the Right to Information (RTI) Act mandates transparency, non-compliance with RTI requests does not directly lead to derecognition by the Election Commission.
- The Election Commission focuses on electoral conduct and financial reporting, rather than RTI compliance.
3. Failure to Win Any Seat in State Elections
- While not winning any seats may reflect poor electoral performance, it alone does not constitute grounds for derecognition.
- A party can continue to exist and participate in elections even if it fails to secure seats, as long as it meets other regulatory requirements.
Conclusion
Based on the analysis:
- The correct answer is option 'C': "1 only." A political party can indeed be derecognized for failing to submit its poll expenses, but not for non-disclosure under the RTI Act or for failing to win seats. This emphasizes the importance of financial accountability in maintaining a political party's recognized status.