Over 200 smaller parties may be delisted as Election Commission cracks whip on 'parties that exist only on paper'

Government may soon make an official notification to delist 200 political parties as many of them could be involved in money-laundering operations.  According to a source, election commission will write to CBDT (Central Board of Direct Taxes) to go ahead to delist 200 political parties.   

Election commission (EC) has noted that there are at least 200 parties that exist only on papers and these parties have not contested in any elections since 2005.The EC have also noted that to ensure transparency of funds flow and bring transparency in the funding of political parties action must be initiated to deter political parties existing on papers only.     

Also Read: Election Commission seeks ban on anonymous contributions to political parties above Rs 2000

The EC has also asked CBDT to take note of the financial affairs of parties to send a strong message that forming a party to convert black money into white is no longer an easy process.