Explain the role of Election Commission in the 'registration and recognition' of political parties in India.

(i) Every party in the country has to register with the Election commission.

(ii) The commission treats all parties equally.

(iii) Parties are given a unique symbol—only the official candidates of that party can use that election symbol.

(iii) Parties ‘recognised’ by the Election Commission are called as recognised political parties.

(iv) The Election Commission recognized political parties in proportion of votes and seats

(v) To be recognized as a State party, it should get at least six per cent of total votes in an election to the Legislative Assembly and wins at least two seats.

(vi) To be recognized as a National party, it should get at least six per cent of total votes in Lok Sabha elctions or Assembly elections in four states and wins at least four seats in Lok Sabha