After delisting 334 parties on August 9, the Election Commission begins a second round of action; state CEOs to issue show-cause notices before a final decision.
NEW DELHI (India CSR): The Election Commission of India (ECI) has started proceedings to delist another 476 Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs) that have not contested even a single election for six continuous years. The move follows the Commission’s first round of action on August 9, 2025, when 334 RUPPs were delisted as part of a continuing clean-up of the party register.
What triggered the fresh round
Under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, associations registered as political parties receive certain privileges, including a common symbol and tax exemptions. The ECI’s registration guidelines also state that a party that does not contest elections for six straight years can be removed from the list of registered parties. The current exercise targets RUPPs that have failed this basic test.
Due process before delisting
To avoid any undue removal, the ECI has directed Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) in the relevant States and Union Territories to issue show-cause notices to the 476 RUPPs identified in this round. Parties will get an opportunity to be heard by the CEOs. Based on these reports, the Commission will take a final call on delisting.
Round 1: 334 RUPPs already delisted
In its first round, the ECI delisted 334 RUPPs on August 9, 2025, after verification exercises found they had not contested for six years and, in many cases, could not be physically located at their declared addresses. Following that action, the number of registered RUPPs fell from 2,854 to 2,520. The delisted entities lose access to benefits, including income-tax concessions, and have an appeal window.
Where the 476 identified RUPPs are located
The second-round list spans the country. Uttar Pradesh has the highest share, followed by large concentrations in metro-heavy states. Highlights from the state-wise distribution released today:
- Uttar Pradesh: 121
- Maharashtra: 44
- Tamil Nadu: 42
- Delhi: 41
- Madhya Pradesh: 23
- Punjab: 21
- Rajasthan: 18
- Andhra Pradesh: 17
- Haryana: 17
- Kerala: 11
- Uttarakhand: 11
- Gujarat: 10
(Others include Karnataka 10; Telangana 9; Odisha 7; Chhattisgarh 7; J&K 12; West Bengal 12; plus smaller counts in remaining States/UTs. Total: 476.)
Why RUPPs matter—and why the clean-up continues
RUPPs are political parties that do not meet recognition thresholds but remain registered. Over time, many such entities become inactive or non-compliant—not contesting elections, not updating office-bearer or address details, and sometimes misusing privileges. The Commission has been working since 2019 on periodic verification and rationalisation of this list to improve transparency, close loopholes, and protect the integrity of the party system. Earlier campaigns in 2022 saw dozens of non-existent RUPPs delisted and hundreds declared inactive after compliance drives.
What happens next
- Show-cause and hearings: CEOs will serve notices and conduct hearings for the 476 identified RUPPs.
- ECI decision: The Commission will decide on each case after reviewing CEO reports.
- Potential impact: If most cases are upheld, India’s register of RUPPs could shrink further from the 2,520 remaining after the August 9 action, tightening access to electoral privileges and tax benefits to only active, compliant entities. (This is a forward estimate; final numbers will depend on ECI orders.)
The legal and compliance frame—at a glance
- Section 29A, RP Act, 1951: Governs party registration. Parties must keep the Commission informed of changes to names, addresses, and office-bearers.
- Six-year contest rule: ECI registration guidelines allow removal of parties that do not contest for six continuous years.
- Consequences of delisting: Parties lose the privileges associated with registered status, including income-tax exemptions and certain election-related benefits.
Key numbers
- 334 RUPPs delisted on August 9, 2025 (Round 1).
- 476 RUPPs identified for proceedings on August 11, 2025 (Round 2).
- 2,520 RUPPs remained after Round 1’s delisting (down from 2,854).
- Top state by cases in Round 2: Uttar Pradesh (121).
(India CSR)
