ADR Report on Registered Unrecognised Political Parties in India

ADR Report on Registered Unrecognised Political Parties in India

Why in News? 

Recently the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) released a report on 18 July 2025 that examined Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPP) in India. It found a steep 223 % rise in declared income during FY 2022‑23. It also noted that over 73 % of these parties did not publish their financial records. 

Key Findings of ADR Report on Registered Unrecognised Political Parties in India

• Rise in Income: The most striking revelation from the ADR report is the 223% increase in income of registered unrecognised political parties during the financial year 2022–23.

• These parties, despite having minimal electoral impact, reported huge sums in revenue. 

• The total declared income from the sampled group of parties exceeded ₹2,316 crore, marking a dramatic rise compared to the previous year. 

• Avoid Financial Disclosure: Out of the total 2,764 registered unrecognised political parties in the country, only 739 submitted their financial records for the year. That means more than 73%, or 2,025 parties, did not provide any financial information to the Election Commission. This pattern of non-compliance is not new but continues to grow. 

• States with High Numbers: The report highlights that several states are home to a significant number of registered unrecognised political parties that failed to disclose their financials. 

• Uttar Pradesh leads with 744 parties, followed by Delhi with 240, and Tamil Nadu with 230. 

• In Delhi, 168 parties withheld financial data. In Tamil Nadu, 180 did the same. 

• Even in smaller states like Goa, 12 such parties exist, none of which filed financial records.

• Disproportionate Income in Gujarat: An unusual trend was observed in Gujarat, where five unrecognised political parties together reported an income of ₹2,316 crore between 2019 and 2024. These five parties collectively received only 22,000 votes in that period. 

• Among them, one party alone reported ₹957 crore, despite having minimal public support. 

• Four out of these five parties were formed after 2018, yet they declared earnings that rival well-established political entities.

• Low Electoral Participation: Despite their massive income declarations, the five Gujarat-based parties fielded only 17 candidates in two Lok Sabha elections and one Assembly election held between 2019 and 2024. None of their candidates won. This disconnect between income and participation has led to growing suspicion.

What Are Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs)?

• About: A Registered Unrecognised Political Party, or RUPP, is a political organisation that is formally registered with the Election Commission of India (ECI) but does not qualify for the status of a recognised state or national party. 

• These parties are eligible to contest elections but do not receive benefits like reserved election symbols or free airtime during campaigns. 

• The term “unrecognised” only means they do not fulfill the set criteria of electoral performance required for recognition.

• However, their registration grants them the right to function legally as a political entity.

• Legal Status: RUPPs enjoy legal status and rights as political parties under Indian law.

• They can field candidates in elections, engage in political activity, and access public spaces for campaigning. 

• The lack of recognition limits their privileges, especially during elections. 

• They do not receive free broadcast time on Doordarshan or All India Radio.

Also Read: Issue of Duplication in Voter Identification Number

Criteria for Registration and Recognition of Political Parties

• Registration: Every political party in India must be officially registered with the Election Commission of India under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. This is the first step toward entering the electoral field. 

• A political group must file its registration request with the Election Commission of India within 30 days after it is officially formed.

• The application must include the party’s name, address, symbol preference, constitution, leadership details, and information about the party’s objectives and structure. 

• The party must also submit an affidavit confirming that its constitution aligns with Indian democratic principles and does not promote any form of discrimination or violence.

• • • The ECI reviews the application thoroughly. If satisfied, it grants registration and includes the party’s name in the official list of registered political parties. 
    • At this stage, the party is not yet recognised and termed as a Registered Unrecognised Political Party (RUPP).

• Recognition as a State Party: A State Party recognition is based on electoral performance in a specific state during Legislative Assembly or Lok Sabha elections. A party is declared a state party in a particular state if it fulfills any one of the following conditions:

• • • A party earns recognition as a state party if it gains 6% of the total valid votes in a state’s Legislative Assembly election and wins a minimum of two seats in that assembly.
    • Alternatively, if the party secures 6% of valid votes during a Lok Sabha election from that state and wins 1 seat in the Lok Sabha, it also qualifies.
    • Another condition is that the party wins 3% of total seats in the assembly or a minimum of 3 seats, whichever number is greater.
    • The party can also qualify if it wins 1 Lok Sabha seat for every 25 seats allotted to the state during a general election.
    • In 2011, an additional condition was introduced. If a party secures 8% of the total valid votes during a Legislative Assembly or Lok Sabha election in that state, it becomes eligible for recognition as a state party even without winning a seat.

• Recognition as a National Party: A registered political party must meet any one of the following conditions to gain recognition as a national party:

• • To become a national party, a political organisation must secure 6% of valid votes across four or more states in Lok Sabha or Assembly polls and also win at least four seats in the Lok Sabha from those states.
  • Alternatively, it can qualify by winning 2% of the total seats in the Lok Sabha, with those MPs elected from at least 3 different states.
  • A third route is through widespread state-level recognition. If the party is already recognised as a state party in four or more states, it automatically qualifies for national party status.

Also Read: Chief Election Commissioner

Concerns Related to Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs)

• Financial Transparency: Many of these parties fail to submit their annual audit reports, donation details, or expenditure records to the Election Commission. This lack of transparency creates loopholes in monitoring the origin and use of political funds. In an era where campaign finance is under scrutiny, unregulated money flowing through small or inactive parties raises the risk of tax evasion and misuse of political channels for illegal financial activities.

• Misuse of Party Registration: Several RUPPs remain inactive in elections for years yet retain their registration status. Some entities may use party registration to obtain financial or legal advantages without genuine political intentions. The misuse of party status undermines the credibility of political participation and dilutes the sanctity of democratic institutions.

• Voter Confusion: During elections, many RUPPs are assigned temporary symbols, often resembling those of established parties. This creates confusion among voters, especially in rural areas where literacy levels are lower. Voters may mistakenly support a party they did not intend to choose, which can skew election outcomes.

Also Read: Electoral Reforms in India

Way Forward

• Introduce Mandatory Annual Financial Disclosures: To build transparency, ECI should compulsory annual financial disclosures for all registered political parties. If a party fails to comply, penalties or suspension of registration can follow. By making financial submissions non-negotiable, authorities can prevent misuse of political platforms for monetary gain.

• Establish a Deactivation Clause: ECI should set up a clear rule that automatically deregisters any RUPP that does not contest elections for two consecutive general cycles. Such a provision would reduce the number of dormant parties and ensure that only active political participants remain registered. 

• Create a Centralised Portal: To simplify tracking and improve public access, a centralised digital portal should be developed where all registered parties upload their financial and operational data. This portal must include standardised formats for income statements, donor records, and candidate details. Such a system will also reduce manual paperwork.

Also Read: Delimitation