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The Election Commission of India (ECI) is responsible for granting recognition to political parties in India. The recognition process is governed by the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968, which outlines the criteria and guidelines for political parties to be recognized at the national and state levels.
To be recognized as a national or state party, political parties must fulfill certain eligibility criteria, including:
National Party Recognition:
a. The party must secure at least 6% of the valid votes polled in four or more states in a Lok Sabha (Parliamentary) or State Legislative Assembly election.
b. The party must win at least four seats in the Lok Sabha from any state or states.
c. The party must secure at least 2% of the total number of seats in the Lok Sabha.
State Party Recognition:
a. The party must secure at least 6% of the valid votes polled in a State Legislative Assembly election.
b. The party must win at least two seats in the Legislative Assembly of the state.
c. The party must secure at least 3% of the total number of seats in the Legislative Assembly of the state.
If a political party fulfills the necessary criteria, the Election Commission grants it recognition as a national or state party, depending on the level of fulfillment. Recognized parties are entitled to certain privileges, such as:
- Allocation of a unique symbol to contest elections.
- Free use of broadcast and telecast facilities during elections.
- Representation on the Election Commission during election-related matters.
- Access to electoral rolls for campaign purposes.
- Funding from the Election Commission for candidates' election expenses.
It's important to note that political parties need to regularly submit their income and expenditure statements to the Election Commission to maintain their recognition status. Failure to comply with the rules and guidelines set by the Election Commission may result in the loss of recognition.
