Which among the following are valid conditions that can give recognition to any political party as a National Party in India?
- 1. The party should have polled at least six per cent of votes in four or more states in Lok Sabha or State Assembly elections and secured at least four seats in the Lok Sabha from one or more states.
- 2. The party has won two per cent of the total seats in the Lok Sabha from at least three states.
- 3. In the last General Elections to the Lok Sabha, the party should have won at least one seat for every 25 seats allotted in any one state.
- 4. The party is recognised as a state party in four or more states.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- AOnly 1 and 2
- B1, 2 and 3
- C1, 3 and 4
- D1, 2 and 4
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: (d) 1, 2 and 4
Explanation
Under the Election Commission's Election Symbols Order, a party is recognised as a National Party if it meets any one of these conditions:
- it polls at least 6% of the valid votes in four or more states in a Lok Sabha or Assembly general election, and also wins at least 4 Lok Sabha seats (statement 1);
- it wins at least 2% of the Lok Sabha seats (11 of 543) from at least three states (statement 2);
- it is recognised as a state party in four or more states (statement 4).
Statement 3 (one seat for every 25 seats of a state) is a condition for recognition as a State Party, not a National Party.