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The Election Commission of India (ECI) has once again shown its determination to ensure transparency in Indian politics. In Bihar, 15 registered but inactive political parties are under the scanner for not contesting any election in the past six years. Notices have already been issued, and hearings were conducted on September 1 before the Chief Electoral Officer of Bihar.
Some of these parties responded, while others failed to appear. Now, the final report has been sent to the Election Commission, which may soon delist these organizations.
Why the Election Commission Took This Step
The Election Commission is not only a body that conducts polls but also a watchdog of political integrity. When a political party registers, it gets several benefits — from tax exemptions to access to electoral rolls. However, if such parties remain inactive for years, they raise doubts about their real purpose.
The ECI recently cracked down nationwide, delisting more than 300 parties that had failed to contest elections since 2019. Now, the Bihar-specific list shows that this campaign is being carried forward with equal strictness.
List of Parties Under the Radar in Bihar
Among the 15 Bihar-based political parties that did not contest any elections since 2019 are:
- Indian Awam Activist Party
- Bharatiya Jagran Party
- Bharatiya Yuva Janshakti Party
- Ekta Vikas Mahasabha Party
- Garib Janata Dal (Secular)
- Jai Janata Party
- Janata Dal Hindustani
- Loktantrik Janata Party (Secular)
- Mithilanchal Vikas Morcha
- Rashtrawadi Yuva Party
- Rashtriya Sadbhavna Party
- Rashtriya Sadabahar Party
- Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam Party
- Vasundhara Jan Vikas Dal
- Young India Party
Most of these names sound ambitious, but their complete absence from ground-level politics has now brought them under the Election Commission’s action.
People Also Ask
Why does the Election Commission delist political parties?
The Election Commission delists parties that remain inactive for six years, fail to contest elections, or misuse registration benefits.
What happens when a party is delisted?
Once delisted, the party loses official recognition, tax exemptions, and access to voter data. It must reapply if it wants to rejoin the political process.
Has this action happened before?
Yes. In 2025, the Election Commission delisted over 300 unrecognised political parties nationwide for failing to contest polls since 2019.
Impact on Bihar Politics
At first glance, these parties may not seem influential. Yet, their delisting has symbolic importance. It shows the Election Commission’s determination to clean up the system.
In Bihar, politics has always been dynamic, with alliances forming and breaking before every election. The presence of dozens of inactive parties only adds unnecessary clutter. Removing them will streamline the electoral process and focus attention on active contenders.
The Broader Role of the Election Commission
The Election Commission of India is one of the most trusted institutions of democracy. Established in 1950, its primary duty is to conduct free and fair elections. But its powers go far beyond just managing polling booths.
- Monitoring political parties
- Regulating campaign funding
- Ensuring adherence to the Model Code of Conduct
- Acting against misuse of religion, caste, or money in elections
By acting against inactive political parties, the ECI reaffirms its constitutional mandate of ensuring fairness and discipline in politics.
The Legal Framework Behind the Action
According to the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the Election Commission has powers to regulate and even cancel party registration if norms are violated. Inactive parties not contesting elections for six years can be delisted to prevent misuse of electoral privileges.
Challenges Before the Election Commission
While delisting inactive parties is an important step, the Election Commission also faces larger challenges:
- Preventing misuse of black money in polls
- Stopping hate speech and fake news
- Managing social media campaigns
- Maintaining voter confidence in EVMs and technology
Each step taken by the ECI — whether delisting dormant parties or penalising candidates for misconduct — strengthens democracy.
Future of Party Registration in India
With hundreds of new political outfits registering every decade, the Election Commission will need to tighten the rules of registration further. Experts suggest that parties should be required to show a minimum vote share or activity to remain listed.
This will ensure that the party system does not get overcrowded with inactive or paper-based organizations.
FAQs
Q1. What is the Election Commission of India?
The Election Commission is a constitutional body that conducts and regulates elections in India.
Q2. Why are parties delisted?
Parties are delisted if they remain inactive, fail to contest polls for six years, or misuse registration benefits.
Q3. Does delisting mean banning a party?
No. Delisting only removes a party from the official register. They can reapply later.
Q4. How many parties are there in India?
As of 2025, India has over 2,500 registered political parties, but only a few are nationally active.
Q5. What is the impact of EC’s crackdown?
It strengthens transparency, removes fake or inactive entities, and focuses attention on genuine political players.