The State Election Commission (SEC) on Tuesday said that parties ruling local bodies have to publish an annual report of promises fulfilled from their manifesto and failing to do so for two consecutive years may result in canceling of registration of the party.
State Election Commissioner J.S. Saharia said, “An official copy of the manifesto published during the local body polls will have to be submitted to the concerned commissioner or district collector. The party which comes to power or shares power has to publish an annual report of promises fulfilled from the manifesto.” The report can be either published through an advertisment or online, he added.
The move is aimed at bringing more transparency and accountability from political parties and also to prevent the notion that manifestos are forgotten once the elections are over, according to sources.
The SEC also said that political parties which are registered with it will have to contest at least one seat in the local body polls in five years. “Failing to do so will also lead to canceling of registration,” said Mr. Saharia.
A new political party can now be registered without applying to the SEC. Parties need to apply to the district collector of the place its headquarters is going to be stationed. The collector will verify it and forward the application to the SEC, where further action will be taken, said Mr. Saharia.
According to the SEC, there are a total of 252 political parties in the State. Of these, 237 are registered while 15 are recognised, which include six national parties, two regional parties and seven regional parties recognised in other States.
