Polity Notes

Political System in a Country can be of three types–

1. Single Party System

2. Bi Party System or Two Party System

3. Multi-Party System

1. Single Party System

Single Party System exists in Communist Countries and in Countries ruled by dictators. Only one Political Party exists in the Country and formation of other political parties is not allowed, e.g. in China only communist party is present. The citizens of China have no right to form another Political Party. /p>

2. Bi Party or Two Party System

In this system two major Political Parties exist but other Political Parties are also there but their presence is negligible. Citizens are at liberty to make Political Parties. One party govern the Country while other performs the function of opposition party. The power keeps on changing from one party to another, e.g. in U.S., two major Political Parties are– Democratic Party and Republican Party and in Britain Conservative Party and Labour Party. Other political parties are also there but without much significance.

3. Multi-Party System

Multi-Party System is generally available in all Democratic Countries where citizens are free to make Political Parties. Different political parties have significant role in the governance of the Country, e.g. in India, we have many political parties like BJP, Congress, CPI, CPM, NCP, BSP, TRIMOOL etc.

Election Commission of India do grant Political Parties, the status of recognized National Party, recognized State Party and Unrecognized Registered Party. Election Commission award these status on the basis of various parameters as follows:

(i) Recognised National Party

If any political party fulfils any one of the following conditions:

a) If that party win a total of 2% seats in Lok Sabha (2% of 543 = 11 from at least 3 states)

b) In last Lok Sabha or Legislative Assembly Elections, 6% of votes in atleast 4 States and also win 4 Lok Sabha seats.

c) A party gets recognition as State Party in 4 States.

Right now we have 8 National Parties – Bhartiya Janta Party, Indian National Congress, Communist Party of India, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Nationalist Congress Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, All India Trinamool Congress, and National People’s Party. Rashtriya Janata Dal used to be National Party till 2008 but Election Commission of India derecognized this party as National Party in 2010. Now, Rashtriya Janata Dal is a Recognised State Party.

(ii) Recognised State Party

We have 49 recognised State Parties e.g. AAP, AIADMK, DMK, Akali Dal, Biju Janata Dal, RJD, National Conference etc. A Political Party is granted the status of recognized State Party if that political party fulfils any one out of the following conditions:

a) Minimum 3% seats or a minimum of 3 seats in State Legislative Assembly.

b) A Political Party should win atleast 1 seat in Lok Sabha for every 25 seats in State Legislative Assembly, e.g. in Haryana the strength of Vidhan Sabha is 90. If a Political Party wins 4 or more Lok Sabha seats from Haryana then that political party will be awarded the status of recognized state party of the Haryana under this parameter.

c) 6% votes in last Lok Sabha Elections or State Legislative Assembly Elections plus 1 Lok Sabha seat plus 2 Legislative Assembly seats from that state.

d) 8% or more votes in the last Lok Sabha or State Legislative Assembly Elections from that state.

(iii) Unrecognized Registered Political Party

These are Political Parties registered with Election Commission of India but not awarded status of either National Party or State Party. At present nearly 1810 Political Parties are registered with Election Commission of India.

Advantages of getting status of a Registered National Party

1. An Election Symbol is reserved for its candidates throughout India e.g. lotus for BJP, Hand for congress, Clock for NCP, etc.

2. Election of the constituency is cancelled in case of Death of a candidate of National Party before the commencement of voting.

3. Free canvassing on National media in fixed time slot.

4. Free two sets of electoral rolls to the candidates of National Parties.

5. Consultation with representatives of National Parties by Election Commission of India for the deciding election dates, timings, and other process of elections.

Advantages of getting status of State Party

1. An Election Symbol is reserved for its candidates throughout state of its candidate, e.g. Broom for AAP, Lantern for RJD, Cycle for Samajwadi Party etc.

2. Election of the State constituency is cancelled in case of Death of a candidate of State Party before the commencement of voting.

3. Free canvassing on government media in fixed time slot.

4. Free two sets of electoral rolls to the candidates of State Parties.

5. Consultation with representatives of State parties by Election Commission of India for the deciding election dates, timings, and other process of elections.

Unrecognised Registered Political Parties do not enjoy any specific rights and privileges but they are awarded recognition as – registered Political Party with the Election Commission of India.

Election Commission of India regularly examine the performance of various Political Parties in the last General Elections (Lok Sabha Election) and State Legislative Assembly Elections. Election Commission of India keeps on adding and deleting names of political parties as National Party, State Party or Unrecognised Registered Parties, e.g. RJD was a recognized National Party till 2008 but derecognized in 2010. Similarly election commission do decide the dispute among different factions of a political party due to split in the party. Recently Election Commission freezed election symbol of Lok Janshakti Party (Bunglow) due to split in the same between Chirag Paswan and Paras Choudhary factions. Election Commission has allotted helicopter as election symbol for Chirag Paswan faction of Lok Janshakti Party and Sewing Machine to Paras Choudhary faction of the party.

The National Party Status of BSP, CPI, CPM and NPP is in danger due to their poor performance in recent Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assembly Elections.