Question

Which of the following statements are correct regarding the recognition criteria for political parties in India?

1. A party is recognized as a National Party if it secures 6% of valid votes in four or more states in a general election and wins 4 seats in the Lok Sabha.

2. A party is recognized as a State Party if it secures 6% of valid votes in a state in a Lok Sabha election and wins 1 seat in the Lok Sabha from that state.

3. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is recognized as a National Party with the symbol of a broom.

• A. 1 and 2 only
• B. 2 and 3 only
• C. 1 and 3 only
• D. 1, 2, and 3

Answer 1

Answer:

D. 1, 2, and 3

Political Party Recognition Criteria in India

National Party Recognition

• A political party is recognized as a 'National Party' by the Election Commission of India (ECI) if it fulfills specific electoral performance criteria in general elections (Lok Sabha or State Legislative Assembly).
• Criteria 1: Securing at least 6% of the total valid votes polled in four or more states, AND winning at least 4 seats in the Lok Sabha from any state(s).
• Criteria 2: Winning at least 2% of the total seats in the Lok Sabha (i.e., 11 seats) in the general election, AND these elected candidates must have been chosen from at least three different states.
• Criteria 3: A party is recognized as a National Party if it is recognized as a State Party in at least four states.

State Party Recognition

• A political party is recognized as a 'State Party' if it meets certain electoral performance benchmarks in a specific state.
• Criteria 1: Securing at least 6% of the total valid votes polled in the state in a General Election (Lok Sabha or State Legislative Assembly), AND winning at least 2 seats in the State Legislative Assembly.
• Criteria 2: Winning at least 6% of the total valid votes polled in the state in a Lok Sabha election, AND winning at least 1 seat in the Lok Sabha from that state.
• Criteria 3: Winning at least 3% of the total seats in the State Legislative Assembly (whichever is greater), or at least 3 seats in the State Legislative Assembly, whichever is greater.
• Criteria 4: Winning at least 1 seat in the Lok Sabha for every 25 seats allocated to the state in the Lok Sabha.

Key Points for Competitive Exams

• The Election Commission of India (ECI) is the authority responsible for recognizing political parties.
• Recognition as a National or State Party grants privileges such as reserved election symbols, a dedicated cadre of party officials, and the right to nominate candidates in recognized constituencies.
• The 'Symbols Order, 1968' governs the allocation of symbols. Reserved symbols are exclusively allotted to recognized parties.
• The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is currently recognized as a National Party. Its reserved symbol is the 'broom'.
• The criteria for recognition are periodically reviewed and can be amended by the ECI.