The Election Commission is rigorously taking steps against inactive political parties. Ahead of next year's Tamil Nadu assembly elections, the commission revoked the registration of 42 parties in the state, including allies of the ruling DMK and the BJP. Nationwide, 474 political parties have been delisted due to not contesting elections for six continuous years.
Unreported Election Expenses
This 'cleanup drive' by the Election Commission has identified 42 parties within Tamil Nadu alone. Specifically, 39 parties that didn't submit their annual audit accounts for the past three financial years (2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24) have been identified. These parties have contested elections without submitting expenditure reports.
Guidelines for party registration clearly state that parties not contesting elections for six consecutive years will be removed from the registered list. This rule led to action against the 42 Tamil parties.
Action Taken on Tamil Parties
Among the parties targeted by the Election Commission are Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK) led by MLA MH Jawahirullah, Kongunadu Makkal Desia Katchi (KMDK) under MLA ER Eswaran, and Tamilaga Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam led by John Pandian.
MMK, with two MLAs, and KMDK, with one MLA and one MP, contested previous elections under DMK's banner. The decision is significant as both MMK and KMDK are allies of the ruling DMK. BJP ally John Pandian's TMMK, having contested unsuccessfully in the Lok Sabha elections from Tenkasi on the lotus symbol, has been inactive in subsequent elections.
Contested Elections on Other Symbols
Among the delisted parties is Manithaneya Jananayaga Katchi led by Tamimun Ansari, which ran in the Nagapattinam constituency. Perunthalaiyar Makkal Katchi, led by NR Dhanapalan, contested unsuccessfully from Perambur. Both fought in the 2016 and 2021 assembly elections using the AIADMK's symbol.
The Election Commission stated that in efforts to purify the electoral system, 474 registered but unrecognized political parties (RUPPs) have been delisted for not contesting elections over the past six years and violating other criteria.
Over 800 Parties Removed in Two Months
This extensive campaign aims to enhance transparency in the list of political parties. In the last two months alone, 808 parties have been removed. The commission is also initiating the removal of 359 additional RUPPs. If these parties fail to meet required documents and terms, they will be delisted, raising the total count of removed parties to 833.
The Representation of the People Act 1951’s section 29A mandates national and state-level registered unrecognized parties (RUPPs) to register with the commission, granting benefits like election symbols and tax exemptions. However, if a party doesn’t contest an election for six continuous years, it will be removed from the registered list.
