Political parties can get recognition without winning elections

Political parties can now get recognition as a state level party even without winning a seat in state assembly or Lok Sabha.

Political parties can now get recognition as a state level party even without winning a seat in state assembly or Lok Sabha.

HT Image

Getting eight percent of the total votes polled in general elections for state assembly or Lok Sabha would be enough to be recognized as state level political party, the Election Commission said on Monday.

The existing rule, which was modified, said a party should get six percent of the votes polled and win at least two assembly seats in the state, where it seeks recognition. Or, winning one Lok Sabha seat with six percent of the total votes polled was also sufficient to get the recognition.

The recognition allows a political party to seek one election symbol for all its candidates in that state, where it has been recognized, and also space for office.

“Under the liberalized criteria, even if a Party fails to win any seat in a general election to the Lok Sabha or Legislative Assembly of the State, the party will still be eligible for recognition as state party if it secures 8% or more of the total valid votes polled in the state,” the commission’s statement said.