Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has been derecognised as a state party in Orissa following its poor show at the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in 2009, the Election Commission has said.
However, the party would continue to be a recognised state party in Jharkhand with the symbol 'bow and arrow' as its reserved symbol in that state, the EC said in its order.
"The Commission is satisfied that the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha is no longer entitled to recognition as a state party in Orissa...," the EC said.
Citing reasons for the withdrawal of recognition, the EC said that the party had secured 1.75 per cent of valid votes in the Lok Sabha polls and 1.58 per cent valid votes in the assembly polls in Orissa held in 2009 and it won no seats.
"The party's performance at the general election to the House of People from Orissa and to the Legislative Assembly of Orissa did not meet any of the requirements laid down for the continued recognition as a state party in Orissa," the order said.
The Commission had earlier served a notice and also gave a hearing to the party, it said adding that the "contentions made by the party are of no help in the matter of allowing it the continued status of recognised party in Orissa".
{{/usCountry}}The Commission had earlier served a notice and also gave a hearing to the party, it said adding that the "contentions made by the party are of no help in the matter of allowing it the continued status of recognised party in Orissa".
{{/usCountry}}A political party shall be eligible for recognition as a state party if its candidates secure not less than six per cent of the valid votes polled in the state in the assembly elections with at least two members elected or six per cent votes and one member elected to the Lok Sabha.