Consider the following statements regarding the political parties in India:
1. The Representation of the People Act, 1951 provides for the registration of political parties.
2. Registration of political parties is carried out by the Election Commission.
3. A National level political party is one which is recognized in four or more states.
4. During 1999 general elections, there were six National and 48 State level parties recognized by the Election Commission. Which of the statement above are correct?

BPSC treated this question as having no correct option (cancelled).

Explanation

The Representation of the People Act, 1951 contains provisions regarding the registration of political parties and the rules for such registration. Political parties are registered by the Election Commission. According to the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968 (as amended), a party becomes a National Party if it secures not less than 6 percent of the total valid votes in each of at least four States and returns at least four members to the Lok Sabha, or if it wins at least 2 percent of the total Lok Sabha seats from not less than three different States. In the 1999 general election to the Thirteenth Lok Sabha, 7 National Parties and 40 State-level recognized parties participated. At present, there are 6 National Parties— (1) Aam Aadmi Party (2) Bahujan Samaj Party (3) Bharatiya Janata Party (4) Communist Party of India (Marxist) (5) Indian National Congress (6) National People’s Party.