Nagaland Congress, UNDP asked to show cause over possible ECI delisting

DIMAPUR — The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Nagaland has issued show-cause notices to the Nagaland Congress and the United Naga Democratic Party after the Election Commission of India (ECI) identified them among 476 Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs) nationwide that may face delisting for failing to contest elections for six consecutive years.

According to the notices, neither party has fielded candidates in any election to the Lok Sabha, State Legislative Assembly or in any bye-elections since 2019. Citing Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the CEO stated that it was “self-evident” the parties had ceased to function for electoral purposes.

Both parties have been asked to respond by August 26 and submit written representations, supported by affidavits and documents, explaining why they should not be delisted. A hearing has been fixed for 1 pm the same day for the Nagaland Congress, while the UNDP has been given the same deadline with a hearing set for 12 noon.

Also read: Election Commission of India identifies two Registered Unrecognised Political Parties from Nagaland for delisting

Hearings will be held at the CEO’s office in Kohima and must be attended by the party president, general secretary or head, the notices stated.

If no response is received, the commission will proceed with delisting without further communication, it added.

In 2019, the ECI began the process of removing parties that have not contested any election for six consecutive years, according to an earlier statement.

In the first round of the exercise, concluded on August 9, 334 RUPPs were delisted, but none were from Nagaland. In the second round, announced on Monday, 476 parties from various states and union territories have been identified, including the two from Nagaland.