Trinamool Congress becomes 7th National Party of India
The All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) was recognized as a National Party by the Election Commission of India (ECI). It was recognised so as it fulfilled one of the three stipulated norms laid down by the ECI in the Symbols Order, 1968.
With this, TMC became the 7th National Party of India. The other six are Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP), Indian National Congress (INC) Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Communists Party of India (CPI) and Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M).
Criteria to be recognised as a National Party
Keeping The Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968 and political scenario of the country in view, the Election Commission recognises such political parties as National Party which fulfils any of the following eligibility criteria:-
It secures at least six percent of the valid votes polled in any four or more states, at a general election to the House of the People or, to the State Legislative Assembly; orAdditionally, it wins at least four seats in the House of the People from any State or States; orIt wins at least two percent seats in the House of the People (i.e., 11 seats in the existing House having 543 members), and these members are elected from at least three different States.
TMC met the first condition i.e. Mamata Banerjee-led party is recognized as a state party in four states.
However, TMC would not have been able to meet the criteria had the ECI not amended its Symbols Order in August 2016, allowing all political parties to retain their state and national party status for every two election cycles or every 10 years. The Commission amended Paragraph 6C of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968 to effect the change to ensure that ruling parties do not lose their status due to anti-incumbency factor after every election.
Benefits of being recognized as a National Party
Having recognized as a national party signifies that a party will be entitled to a reserved symbol for its candidates contesting all around India. The symbol has critical significance for political parties since a large section of voters in India are ignorant and depend on symbols to identify the party they want to vote for. Thus, having a pan-India symbol helps parties reach out to prospective voters.National parties get dedicated broadcast slots on public broadcasters Doordarshan and All India Radio during the general elections.Not only this, Candidates from a national party require only one proposer to register their nominations and are entitled to two sets of electoral rolls; without any charge.Lastly, political parties can nominate ‘star campaigners’ to propagate themselves. A national party can have a maximum of 40 ‘star campaigners’ while a registered unrecognized party can nominate a maximum of 20 ‘star campaigners’, whose travel expenses are not accounted for in the election expense accounts of candidates.
Criteria to be recognized as a State Party
As per ECI, a political party shall be entitled to be recognized as a State party, if any of the following three conditions meet:-
It secures at least six per cent of the valid votes polled in the State at a general election, either to the House of the People or to the Legislative Assembly of the State concerned; orIn addition, it wins at least two seats in the Legislative Assembly of the State concerned; orIt wins at least three per cent of the total number of seats in the Legislative Assembly of the State, or at least three seats in the Assembly, whichever is more.
The All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) was recognized as a National Party by the Election Commission of India (ECI). It was recognised so as it fulfilled one of the three stipulated norms laid down by the ECI in the Symbols Order, 1968.
With this, TMC became the 7th National Party of India. The other six are Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP), Indian National Congress (INC) Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Communists Party of India (CPI) and Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M).
Criteria to be recognised as a National Party
Keeping The Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968 and political scenario of the country in view, the Election Commission recognises such political parties as National Party which fulfils any of the following eligibility criteria:-
It secures at least six percent of the valid votes polled in any four or more states, at a general election to the House of the People or, to the State Legislative Assembly; orAdditionally, it wins at least four seats in the House of the People from any State or States; orIt wins at least two percent seats in the House of the People (i.e., 11 seats in the existing House having 543 members), and these members are elected from at least three different States.
TMC met the first condition i.e. Mamata Banerjee-led party is recognized as a state party in four states.
However, TMC would not have been able to meet the criteria had the ECI not amended its Symbols Order in August 2016, allowing all political parties to retain their state and national party status for every two election cycles or every 10 years. The Commission amended Paragraph 6C of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968 to effect the change to ensure that ruling parties do not lose their status due to anti-incumbency factor after every election.
Benefits of being recognized as a National Party
Having recognized as a national party signifies that a party will be entitled to a reserved symbol for its candidates contesting all around India. The symbol has critical significance for political parties since a large section of voters in India are ignorant and depend on symbols to identify the party they want to vote for. Thus, having a pan-India symbol helps parties reach out to prospective voters.National parties get dedicated broadcast slots on public broadcasters Doordarshan and All India Radio during the general elections.Not only this, Candidates from a national party require only one proposer to register their nominations and are entitled to two sets of electoral rolls; without any charge.Lastly, political parties can nominate ‘star campaigners’ to propagate themselves. A national party can have a maximum of 40 ‘star campaigners’ while a registered unrecognized party can nominate a maximum of 20 ‘star campaigners’, whose travel expenses are not accounted for in the election expense accounts of candidates.
Criteria to be recognized as a State Party
As per ECI, a political party shall be entitled to be recognized as a State party, if any of the following three conditions meet:-
It secures at least six per cent of the valid votes polled in the State at a general election, either to the House of the People or to the Legislative Assembly of the State concerned; orIn addition, it wins at least two seats in the Legislative Assembly of the State concerned; orIt wins at least three per cent of the total number of seats in the Legislative Assembly of the State, or at least three seats in the Assembly, whichever is more.
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