Question

Consider the following statements regarding the criteria for recognition of national political parties in India:

1. A party must secure at least 6% of valid votes in four or more states and win four Lok Sabha seats from any state(s).

2. A party winning 2% of Lok Sabha seats from at least three states qualifies as a national party.

3. Being recognized as a state party in four states automatically qualifies a party as a national party.

4. Winning 10% of assembly seats in any state qualifies a party as a national party.

Which are correct?

• A. 1, 2 and 3 only
• B. 1 and 4 only
• C. 2 and 4 only
• D. All are correct

Answer 1

Answer:

A. 1, 2 and 3 only

National Political Party Recognition in India

• The Election Commission of India (ECI) sets the criteria for recognizing political parties as 'National' or 'State' parties, which is crucial for their electoral privileges and prominence.

• This recognition is governed by the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968, which the ECI has the power to issue.

Criteria for National Party Recognition:

A political party can be recognized as a 'National Party' if it fulfills any one of the following three conditions:

1. Condition 1: Vote Share and Lok Sabha Seats

   • The party secures at least 6% of the total valid votes polled in any four or more states in a general election to the Lok Sabha or to the Legislative Assembly.

   • AND, in addition, it wins at least 4 seats in the Lok Sabha from any state or states.

   • This directly aligns with the first statement.

2. Condition 2: Lok Sabha Seats Percentage

   • The party wins at least 2% of the total seats in the Lok Sabha.

   • AND, these seats are won from at least three different states.

   • For example, if the total Lok Sabha seats are 543, 2% would be approximately 11 seats.

   • This matches the second statement.

3. Condition 3: State Party Recognition in Multiple States

   • The party is recognized as a 'State Party' in at least four states.

   • Recognition as a state party in four states automatically confers national party status.

   • This corresponds to the third statement.

Why Statement 4 is Incorrect:

• The statement "Winning 10% of assembly seats in any state qualifies a party as a national party" is incorrect.

• Winning 10% of assembly seats is not a criterion for national party recognition. The criteria for 'State Party' recognition include winning 3% of assembly seats or 3 seats (whichever is more), or securing 6% of valid votes plus 2 assembly seats, or securing 6% of valid votes plus 1 Lok Sabha seat, or winning one Lok Sabha seat for every 25 Lok Sabha seats allotted to the state, or securing 8% of total valid votes in a general election to the Assembly or Lok Sabha from the state. None of these involve a direct 10% assembly seat criterion for national party status.

Significance of National Party Status:

• National parties are allotted a reserved symbol across the country.

• They get free airtime on state-owned television and radio during elections.

• They are entitled to receive copies of electoral rolls free of cost.

• They can have up to 40 star campaigners (compared to 20 for state parties).

• The leaders of national parties are invited for consultation by the ECI on matters of electoral reforms.

• National parties play a significant role in shaping the national political discourse.