AT

Aditya TalwarAIR 270· 2025

GS2GS2

Representation of People Act (RPA), 1951 is the major practicable legislation that is responsible for conduct of elections in India.

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Main Body

Procedure Laid Down:

(a) Initially Parties can register as Unrecognised partiesSymbols have to be chosen from corner list

(b) With around 6% seats in a state and other criteria it is registered as a state party.

(c) Further a national party.

Registered Unrecognised Political Parties:

1They don't have a substantial vote share to become a state or national party.
2Under Section 33A: Provision of information disclosure such as costs, money, assets, etc.
3Are allowed 20 star campaigns.
4Often referred to as 'Independent' candidate also.

Concerns Associated with them:

1Rise of money power in politics & 1.35 lakh crore in 2024 (ADR)
2Lack of awareness among public
3Can promote anti-national agendas & Engineer Rashid's party in J&K
4May become a party just for tax benefit
5Lack of impact on the electorate.

Does ECI have powers to :Regulate

1The RPA does not explicitly curtail de-registration powers
2Candidate or parties can be disqualified (a) for promoting social evil like Sati, (b) for building voters or using state machinery, (c) Hosting MCC norms, (d) Disqualification under Article 102, (e) Section 8, 8A, 9 and 10 of RPA

Way forward:

1Provision of de-registration powers & ECI demanding Section 58B for controlling money power.
2State funding of elections - Indrajit Gupta Committee

The ECI through the multi-party system has been the flagbearer of free and fair elections (Mahinda Bill case) and reforms are needed for further legalization

246 words6 paragraphs

Conclusion

The ECI through the multi-party system has been the flagbearer of free and fair elections (Mahinda Bill case) and reforms are needed for further legalization

25 words

  • Clearly outlines party registration hierarchy
  • Systematically explains gradual progression from unrecognised to national parties
  • References specific institutional requirements
  • Uses recent data from ADR (2024)
  • Identifies multiple concerns beyond just registration
  • References specific case (Engineer Rashid)
  • Comprehensively lists disqualification grounds with legal citations
  • References Indrajit Gupta Committee on state funding
  • Concludes with balanced assessment of ECI's role

Open original scan

Page 26

Topper

Aditya Talwar

AIR 2702025

Subject & Paper

GS2GS2

Topic

Salient Features of the Representation of People's Act

Electoral Procedures and Political Party Registration

Party Registration Process Under RPA 1951

Writing Stats

271

Total words

6

Paragraphs

Critical and Analytical

Tone