In a significant move to cleanse the electoral landscape, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has delisted another 474 Registered Unrecognized Political Parties (RUPPs). This action, taken on September 18, 2025, brings the total number of delisted parties to 808 in the last two months, following a similar action where 334 parties were delisted on August 9, 2025. With the recent delistings, the total number of RUPPs stands at 2,046.
The primary reason for the delisting is the failure of these parties to contest elections for six consecutive years. This action is in line with the ECI's guidelines, which stipulate that a party can be removed from the list of registered parties if it does not participate in elections for six continuous years. The poll panel had initiated this nationwide effort in June 2025.
Political parties in India are registered with the ECI under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Registration grants parties certain privileges and advantages, including a reserved symbol and tax exemptions. However, these privileges come with the responsibility of actively participating in the electoral process.
Prior to delisting, the ECI directed the Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) of the respective States/Union Territories to issue show-cause notices to these RUPPs. This gave the parties an opportunity to explain their non-participation and present their case. The ECI takes the final decision on delisting based on the reports submitted by the CEOs.
In addition to the 474 parties delisted for not contesting elections, the ECI has identified 359 RUPPs for not submitting their Annual Audited Accounts for the past three financial years (2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24) within the stipulated time period and for failing to file Election Expenditure Reports despite contesting elections. Show-cause notices will also be issued to these parties.
The recent delisting saw the highest number of parties removed from Uttar Pradesh, with 121 parties being delisted. Other states with a significant number of delisted parties include Maharashtra (44), Tamil Nadu (42), Delhi (40), Punjab (21), Madhya Pradesh (23), Bihar (15), Rajasthan (17), and Andhra Pradesh (17). Overall, the 474 parties delisted in the second phase come from 30 States and Union Territories. Twelve of the delisted parties were from West Bengal, including the Gorkha National Liberation Front.
The ECI's action is aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability in the electoral process. By removing inactive parties, the ECI seeks to prevent the misuse of privileges meant for active participants and maintain the integrity of the electoral system. Parties that are delisted will no longer be eligible for benefits under the Representation of the People Act, the Income Tax Act, and the Election Symbols Order. Parties aggrieved by the order can appeal to the ECI within 30 days.
