The Election Commission has issued notices to two registered, unrecognized political parties in Uttarakhand. These parties contested elections over the past six years but have not submitted their audit reports to the Election Commission. Both parties participated in elections held since 2019.
The annual audit reports and election expenditure statements for the financial years 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24 have not been submitted to the Commission. Submission of reports is mandatory within 75 days of the Assembly elections and 90 days of the Lok Sabha elections. The Commission has given both parties until October 13 to present their case.
The notices have been issued to the Bharatiya Sarvodaya Party, 152/126 Patel Nagar (West), Dehradun, and the Uttarakhand Pragatisheel Party, 13-Subhash Road, opposite the back gate of St. Joseph School, Dehradun. Political parties are registered with the Election Commission of India under the provisions of Section 29 of the Representation of the People Act.
After registration, the Commission provides various benefits to such political parties, including exemption from income tax (under Section 13 of the Income Tax Act), recognition (under Para 6 of the Symbols Order), allotment of a common symbol for RUPP under Para 10B of the Symbols Order, symbols reserved for recognised parties under the Symbols Order, and nomination of star campaigners. The Commission has previously delisted 17 parties.
