New Delhi: The Election Commission on Saturday removed 334 registered political parties (forms) on violation of registration and/or legal obligations for non-compensation.The latest round of delisting – which is described by EC as a comprehensive and constant strategy to clean the political scenario – has reduced the total number of forms from 2,854 to 2,520.Dealended Rups can no longer avail the Income Tax concessions under Section 29B and Section 29C of the Representation of the People’s Act, 1951, read with the relevant provisions of the Income Tax Act, 1961 and the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allocation) Order, 1968. According to the guidelines, if a party does not compete with consecutive elections for six years, it will be removed from the list of registered parties. In June, the EC directed the CEOs of the state and the UT to inquire a 345 report about compliance with its guidelines and compliance with the above conditions under the RP Act. The EC said in a statement, “Based on the CEO reports, out of 345 Rups, 334 Rups were not complied with the above conditions. The remaining cases have been sent back to the CEO for revaluation.”Any party suffered from delisting, appealing to the EC within 30 days of the order.
