UPSC Prelims 2001 Q45: Indian Polity – Elections & Electoral Reforms
Consider the following statements regarding the political parties in India:
I. The Representation of the People Act, 1951 provides for the registration of political parties.
II. Registration of political parties is carried out by the Election Commission.
III. A national level political party is one which is recognised in four or more States.
IV. During the 1999 general elections, there were six National and 48 State level parties
recognised by the Election Commission.
Which of these statements are correct?
- (a) I, II and IV
- (b) I and III
- (c) II and IV
- (d) I, II, III and IV
Answer: (d) I, II, III and IV
Explanation
Statements regarding the political parties in India
| Statement | Verdict |
|---|---|
| I. The Representation of the People Act, 1951 provides for registration of parties | Correct — Section 29A, added in 1989 |
| II. Registration is done by the Election Commission | Correct — parties apply to the ECI |
| III. A national party is one recognised in four or more States | Correct under the Symbols Order of that time — recognition as a State party in four or more States |
| IV. In 1999 there were six national and 48 State parties recognised | Taken as correct in the key, from the ECI list used by the paper-setter |
The key treats all four statements as correct. Statements I and II are plain law, and III gave the national-party test then in force under the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968. Since II and III are both clearly true, (d) is the only option that includes both.
Answer: (d) I, II, III and IV.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Statement III on the four-State test is also correct.
- (b) Incorrect. Statement II is also correct; the ECI registers parties.
- (c) Incorrect. Statements I and III are also correct.
- (d) CORRECT. All four statements are taken as correct.
Key point
Today a national party needs, for example, recognition as a State party in four States, or 6% votes in four States plus 4 Lok Sabha seats, or 2% of Lok Sabha seats from three States.
Remember
Registration: RPA 1951, Section 29A, by the ECI.
Common mistakes
- Thinking registration is under the Constitution, not the RPA.
- Forgetting Section 29A came in 1989.
- Dropping III because the criteria have since changed.
Exam tip
Use the sure statements to cut the options before judging the doubtful one.
Sources
- Representation of the People Act, 1951 — Section 29A
- Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968 — Paragraph 6