New Delhi: The number of unrecognized political parties in the country has doubled in the last ten years. The number of these parties were 1112 in the year 2010, whereas it increased to 2301 in the year 2019
According to the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) report, the number of such parties highly increased during the general election years. It grew by 9.8 percent between 2018 and 2019, while in 2013 and 2014 it increased by 18 percent.
Further, out of a total of 2301 registered unrecognized parties, only 30 parties have won seats in the current State Legislative Assembly and Lok Sabha. Among these 30 parties, detailed audit reports of only 3 parties are available for the financial years 2017-18 and 2018-19.
The ADR report states the audit report of 2301 non-recognized parties revealed, only 96 parties (4.17 per cent) for the financial year 2018-19 and 126 parties (5.48 per cent) for the fiscal year 2017- 18 are publicly available.
Reports also brings to light the income declare by these parties. The registered non-recognized parties have declared an income of Rs.1694.40 lakhs as total income during the financial year 2018-19 and Rs.1230.65 lakhs for the financial year 2017-18.
These parties have also shown a total expenditure of Rs 1910.13 lakh for the financial year 2018-19 and Rs 999.17 lakh for the financial year 2017-18.
The political parties of Uttar Pradesh have declared the highest income of 420.29 lakh rupees, including both financial years. Makkal Nidhi Party of Tamil Nadu has declared the highest expenditure of Rs 431.95 lakhs for 2018-19. For the two financial years, only 1.52 percent of the registered non-recognized parties’ audits are available on the website of the Chief Electoral Officers of the state. Of these, only 35 parties have submitted audit reports of two years.