Symbol allocations to RUPPs

Symbol allocations to RUPPs

News: The Election Commission of India has implemented fresh regulations for the allocation of symbols to Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs).

What are RUPPs?
• Article 324 of the Indian Constitution empowers the Election Commission of India (ECI) to register political parties.
• Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, governs the registration of all political parties.
• Parties must file an application with the ECI within 30 days of their formation to seek registration.
• RUPPs include newly registered parties, those without sufficient votes to be a state/national party, and those that have never participated in elections since registration. Such parties do not enjoy all benefits granted to recognized parties, which can be either National or State parties based on specific conditions.

What are the Revised Rules for Symbol Allocation to Unrecognised Political Parties?
• As per existing practice, common symbols were allocated to RUPPs based on an undertaking to field a minimum of 5% of total candidates in a Legislative Assembly election.
• In order to enhance transparency, in 2014, the EC mandated RUPPs seeking common symbols to submit i) Proof of up-to-date contribution reports, ii) Audited annual accounts, iii) Updated election expenditure statements, and iv) Latest organization details.
• Earlier, RUPPs submitted the mentioned details separately. However now, these details are integrated into the application format for a common symbol. The new rules are effective from January 11 this year.

Symbol Allotment measures:
• The ECI is responsible for symbol allotment under The Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968. Symbols can be reserved (exclusive to recognized parties) or ‘free.’
• The EC publishes lists specifying parties and symbols through Gazette of India notifications.
• Candidates of unrecognised registered parties can choose from free, non-exclusive symbols. After each election, these symbols become available for others to choose.
• Recognised national and state parties receive exclusive symbols.
• Unregistered parties provide names of ten symbols in order of preference from a list of free symbols. They may propose three new symbols for consideration, ensuring no resemblance to existing reserved or free symbols, no religious or communal connotation, and no depiction of birds or animals.