EC issues show-cause notice to TMC, CPI, NCP over national party status

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Election Commission has issued a show-cause notice to the Nationalist Congress Party, Trinamool Congress and  Communist Party of India regarding the withdrawal of National Party status after the dismal performance in Lok Sabha elections. 

Sources said, the Commission has asked them to explain why their national party status should not be revoked. They have been asked to respond to the notice issued yesterday by 5th of next month. 

Similar notices were earlier issued to the parties after their dismal performance in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections as well. 

According to the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968, a political party can be recognized as a national party if its candidates secure at least six per cent of votes polled in four or more states in Lok Sabha or assembly elections and, in addition, has at least four members in the Lok Sabha. 

However, these parties got a reprieve when the EC amended its rules in 2016, where national and state party status of political parties are to be reviewed every 10 years instead of five. 

As of now, TMC, BJP, BSP, CPI, CPI(M), Congress, NCP and National People’s Party of Meghalaya have national party status.