PIL Against Use Of INDIA Name By Opposition: Can’t Regulate Political Alliances, Says EC

New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) informed the Delhi High Court that it does not have the authority to regulate political alliances under Representation of People Act.

The national poll panel was responding to a petition against the use of INDIA acronym by the Opposition bloc of 26 parties.

The ECI submitted that it is vested with the authority to register associations or bodies of individuals as political parties under Section 29A of Representation of People Act, but political alliances are not recognised as regulated entities under the Act or the Constitution.

According to businessman Girish Bharadwaj, who had filed the PIL, use of the acronym INDIA — an essential part of the national emblem — for political purposes amounts to a violation of Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950.

He argued that this could adversely affect peaceful, transparent and fair casting of votes during next year’s Lok Sabha elections and lead to unwarranted violence, affecting law and order.

ECI said in its response should not be construed as an expression on the legality of usage of the acronym ‘INDIA’ by the Opposition alliance, and stressed that its role is limited to registration of political parties — and not regulating political tie-ups.