Delisting parties with religious names: ‘only House can decide’
- A PIL was filed seeking de-registration of political parties with religious, caste, ethnic, and linguistic connotations.
Key Points
- Petitioner argued that such names could prejudice candidates' poll prospects, constituting a corrupt practice under the Representation of the People Act (RPA), 1951.
High Court's Response
- HC asserts that the issue falls within the domain of Parliament, stating that the court does not decide laws.
Importance of Policies
- It emphasises that political parties' names alone are not decisive; their policies must also be considered.
Election Commission's Response
- Election Commission of India (ECI) submits that since 2005, it has not registered any political party with a name having religious connotations.
- It points out that parties registered before 2005 with such names won't lose their registration.
Previous Legal Stance
- Refers to the Supreme Court's refusal in May to interfere with a plea seeking to ban political parties with religious connotations in their names.
- ECI had mentioned that such names limit electoral appeal to specific groups and are not beneficial for the concerned party's electoral prospects.
- ECI reiterates its stance and notes that there's no statutory provision barring registration of parties with names having religious connotations under the RPA.
Prelims Takeaway
- Election Commission