Recognition of National and State Political Parties

Political parties are first registered with the Election Commission of India, but only parties meeting prescribed electoral-performance tests become recognised parties. Under the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968, a recognised party is either a National party or a State party; a registered party without either status is a registered unrecognised political party.

Classification and symbol entitlement

The Election Commission of India classifies parties under the Election Symbols Order, 1968. Recognition determines the territorial extent of a party's reserved symbol.

• A National party has its reserved symbol throughout India, while a State party has its reserved symbol in the state or states where it is recognised.
• A registered unrecognised political party does not have a permanently reserved symbol and ordinarily selects from the available free symbols, subject to concessions permitted by the Symbols Order.
• Registration under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 does not automatically confer recognition.

Recognition as a State party

A registered party becomes a State party if it satisfies any one prescribed condition at the relevant general election.

• It secures at least 6 per cent of valid votes in an Assembly election and wins at least 2 Assembly seats.
• It secures at least 6 per cent of valid votes in a Lok Sabha election and wins at least 1 Lok Sabha seat from that state.
• It wins at least 3 per cent of Assembly seats, or 3 seats, whichever is greater.
• It wins at least 1 Lok Sabha seat for every 25 seats, or any fraction thereof, allotted to the state.
• It secures at least 8 per cent of valid votes in a general election to the Lok Sabha or State Assembly.

Recognition as a National party

A registered party becomes a National party if it satisfies any one of the alternative nationwide tests.

• It secures at least 6 per cent of valid votes in four or more states in Lok Sabha or Assembly elections and wins at least 4 Lok Sabha seats.
• It wins at least 2 per cent of Lok Sabha seats, with the elected members coming from at least 3 states.
• It is recognised as a State party in at least 4 states.