Join Us 
The Election Commission of India introduced new guidelines on Thursday for the allocation of symbols to registered unrecognized political parties (RUPPs). According to the updated rules, RUPPs must now provide audited accounts for the last three financial years, expenditure statements for the last two elections, and the signature of the authorized office-bearer along with their symbol application.
RUPPs include newly registered parties, those without sufficient votes in elections to achieve State party status, and those that have never contested elections after registration. Common symbols are granted based on the commitment to field “at least 5% of total candidates” in a legislative assembly election.
To enhance transparency, the Election Commission, in 2014, mandated RUPPs seeking common symbols to submit evidence of up-to-date contribution reports, audited annual accounts, updated election expenditure statements, and the latest organizational details.
Previously submitted separately, these details are now incorporated into the application format for a common symbol, with an additional Annexure No. 3 declaring the submission of requisite reports.
The revised rules will be effective on January 11 this year.
RUPPs submit applications using a prescribed proforma under the provisions of Paragraph 10B of the Election Symbols (Reservation & Allotment) Order, 1968. In September 2022, the EC delisted 86 non-existent RUPPs and labeled another 253 as ‘Inactive RUPPs.’ The move aims to streamline the process and ensure accuracy in the recognition and allocation of symbols to eligible political entities.
[tta_listen_btn]
