Election body to ask I-T department to look into finances of delisted parties

The poll panel believes that most of them exist on paper to help people convert their back money into white by accepting donations.

The election commission is set to write to the income tax authorities asking them to look into the finances of over 200 political parties it had ‘delisted’ for not contesting elections.

Election commission of India building in New Delhi.(HT file photo)

The commission has, over a period of time, identified various parties which have not contested polls since 2005.

The poll panel believes that most of them exist on paper to help people convert their back money into white by accepting donations.

The commission will send the list of the delisted parties to the income tax authorities seeking action if they are found to be involved in money laundering.

While the poll watchdog has the mandate to register a political party, it lacks power under electoral laws to deregister any party.

As its demand to get power to deregister a party is pending with the law ministry, the commission used its powers under Article 324 of the Constitution to delist parties for being dormant and not contesting elections for a long time.

There are over 1,780 registered, but unrecognised political parties in the country. Besides, there are seven national parties -- the BJP, the Congress, BSP, TMC, CPI, CMI-M and NCP -- and 58 state parties.

Seeking to stem flow of black money in elections, the commission has proposed a slew of electoral reforms but most are pending with the government.