Why the Aam Aadmi Party Was Given the Status of a National Party by the Election Commission of India

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has recently granted the status of a national political party to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), alongside other recognized national parties in the country, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Indian National Congress, Bahujan Samaj Party, and Communist Party of India (Marxist).

Criteria for National Party Recognition

According to the Election Symbols Reservation and Allotment Order 1968, the ECI recognizes parties based on specific criteria. A party can be categorized as a national party if it meets certain conditions in terms of votes polled, seats in the Lok Sabha (the lower house of India's parliament), or representation in the state legislative assemblies.

Specific Conditions for AAP to Gain National Status

For the AAP to gain the national party status, it was required to meet the following conditions:

Votes in Legislative Assembly (LS) or State polls: The party had to secure at least 6% of the votes polled in four or more states in both Legislative Assembly and Lok Sabha elections. Seats in the Lok Sabha (LS): The AAP must have at least 2 out of the total Lok Sabha seats and candidates from not less than three states. Status as a State Party: The party should be a state party in at least four states, with notable exceptions for the states of Delhi, Goa, and Punjab.

AAP achieved this status after securing 12.92% of the votes in the 2022 assembly elections in Gujarat, where it became a state party. This met the conditions set by the ECI and led to the AAP being officially recognized as a national party.

Benefits of Being a National Party

As a national party, the AAP will now enjoy certain privileges and benefits:

Exclusive Symbol Allotment: The AAP will have exclusive allotment of its reserved symbol to candidates set up by it throughout India. Simplified Nomination Process: Only one person is required to propose a candidate's name to enable them to file nominations. Broadcast and Telecast Facilities: The AAP will have access to broadcast/telecast facilities over Akashvani/Doordarshan during general elections. Campaigning Allowance: The party is entitled to up to 40-star campaigners, while other parties can have up to 20-star campaigners. Office Space: The AAP will get land for an office in the national capital, providing a strategic advantage for their campaigns.

Impact on Other National Parties

While AAP gained this status, it is important to note that other parties also faced changes in their national party status. The TMC, NCP, and CPI all lost their national party status this year due to failing to meet the criteria set by the ECI.

ECI Review Process

The ECI reviews the parties' performances in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assembly polls from 2014 and 2019, as well as other relevant elections since 2014. This comprehensive review ensures that only parties meeting stringent standards are recognized as national parties.

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