हिंदी
ECI Relaxes Public Notice Time Period for Registration of Political Parties in Bihar Polls
Bihar, October 9. Ahead of Bihar polls, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced a reduction in the notice period for registration of political parties in Bihar from 30 days to 7 days for the parties who have published their public notice on or before 07.10.2020, keeping in view of the prevailing restrictions due to COVID-19 pandemic.
Objections, if any, by all parties can be submitted latest by 5.30 PM on 10th October, 2020 or by the end of the originally provided 30 days period, whichever is earlier.
“It has been brought to the notice of the Commission that in view of prevailing restrictions on account of COVID-19, there was dislocation and delay in moving applications for registration, which in turn led to delay in registration as a political party,” said the EC.
Since the ECI announced General Elections for the Legislative Assembly of Bihar on 25th September, 2020, problems in view of prevailing restrictions on account of Covid-19 have been brought into light of the Commission. Due to this situation, there was a holdup in moving applications for registration, which subsequently led to postponement in registration as a Political Party. Therefore, after consideration of all these matters, the commission decided to relax the Public Notice time period which will remain in force till 20th October, 2020.
Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 governs the Registration of Political parties. For a party seeking registration under this Section, an application needs to be submitted to the Commission within a period of 30 days following the date of its formation. It should be as per the guidelines prescribed by the Commission in exercise of the powers conferred by Article 324 of the Constitution of India and Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Among other things, the applicant association is also asked to publish proposed name of the party in two national daily news papers and two local daily newspapers, on two days for submitting objections, if any, with regard to the proposed registration of the party before the Commission within 30 days from such publication. Notice so published is also displayed on the website of the Commission.
