Question

Regarding the conditions for a party to be recognized as a National Party in India, which of the following is/are true?

1. Party secures 6% of valid votes in any four or more states and wins 4 Lok Sabha seats.

2. Party wins 2% of Lok Sabha seats across the country with candidates elected from at least three states.

3. Party is recognized as State Party in 2 states.

• A. 1 and 2 only
• B. 2 and 3 only
• C. 1 and 3 only
• D. All of the above

Answer 1

Answer:

A. 1 and 2 only

Conditions for Recognition as a National Party

• The Election Commission of India (ECI) sets the criteria for recognizing a political party as a 'National Party' or a 'State Party'.

• These criteria are periodically revised to reflect the evolving political landscape.

• A party must fulfill at least one of the following conditions to be recognized as a National Party:

  • Condition 1: The party must secure at least 6% of the valid votes polled in four or more states in the last general election to the Lok Sabha (House of the People) or the last general election to the Legislative Assemblies of the states.

  • Condition 1 (cont.): Additionally, it must win at least four Lok Sabha seats from any state or states.

  • Condition 2: The party must win at least 2% of the total seats in the Lok Sabha in the last general election.

  • Condition 2 (cont.): These elected candidates must be from at least three different states.

  • Condition 3: The party must be recognized as a State Party in at least four states.

  • The third condition listed in the question (Party is recognized as State Party in 2 states) is insufficient for national party status; it requires recognition in four states.

  • Parties that meet these criteria are granted certain privileges, including a reserved election symbol for all its candidates across the country and a grant from the Election Commission for the preparation of electoral rolls.

  • The ECI periodically reviews the status of registered political parties based on their electoral performance.