EC to intensify scrutiny of founding members of outfits seeking registration as political parties
New Delhi (PTI): The Election Commission has stepped up scrutiny of the founders of the registered unrecognised political parties after several such outfits were found to be inactive or defunct.
In August, the Commission had de-listed 334 registered unrecognised political parties (RUPPs) as part of its ongoing exercise of cleaning up the electoral system, officials said.
"Now, to ensure that applicants seeking registration of their associations as a political party under Section 29A are thoroughly verified at the stage of registration itself, ECI has issued instructions for an intensified scrutiny of the founding members," the Commission said.
In the first round of the exercise to clean up the electoral system, the Commission has already delisted 334 RUPPs on August 9, 2025, bringing down the number of listed RUPPs from 2,854 to 2,520.
In the second round of the exercise in August 2025, ECI had identified another 476 RUPPS and directed the CEOs of States and UTs to conduct verification enquiries against these political parties.
The Commission said in some recent cases, applicants had submitted manipulated and/or false affidavits in an attempt to secure registration under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act.
To remove such dubious applicants and to ensure that only genuine applicants get considered for registration, the EC has decided that verification of at least 20 randomly selected individual affidavits of the founding members shall be carried out, the Commission said.
As the members could be from different districts/states, the CEO(s) concerned would carry out the verifications through the respective DEOS, the Commission said.
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Rahul Gandhi to go on two-day Raebareli visit from May 19
Raebareli (UP) (PTI): Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress MP from Raebareli Rahul Gandhi will arrive here on May 19 on a two-day visit, a Congress office-bearer said on Monday.
Congress district president of Raebareli Pankaj Tiwari said that on the first day, Gandhi will inaugurate a marriage hall at Thakurain Kheda in Bachhrawan. Subsequently, he will address a public meeting in Khiron. In Lalganj, he will participate in a 'mahila samvaad' programme.
He further said that on May 20, he will meet the public during a 'Janata Darshan' programme at the Bhuyemau Guest House. Following this, he will participate in the unveiling of a statue of Veera Pasi and attend a public meeting in Lodhwari.
He will then depart for Amethi.
In Amethi, Gandhi will hold meetings with party functionaries, workers and senior leaders at the party's district headquarters, Congress district unit chief Pradeep Singhal said on Sunday.
According to political observers, this meeting would form a part of the strategic preparations for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, alongside an organisational review.
Discussions during the meeting are likely to focus on strengthening the party organisation down to the booth level, increasing participation of youth and women workers, and accelerating public outreach campaigns across villages.
According to sources, a large number of party workers -- from Gram Sabha to the district level -- have been invited to attend the meeting.
Gandhi is expected to interact directly with workers.
During the one-day visit, the Congress leader will also travel to Poore Ramdeen Pandit -- the native village of late Congress district president Yogendra Mishra -- to meet his family members.
Mishra, considered a close associate of the Gandhi family, passed away on March 1 following a prolonged illness.
Political activities in the district have intensified ahead of Gandhi's visit, and party workers have already started making arrangements for his reception.
Kishori Lal Sharma, the Congress MP from Amethi, is also holding regular meetings with local leaders and functionaries to review the preparations.
