Over 1,300 unrecognised parties fail to file financial reports for 2024-25

More than 1,330 registered unrecognised political parties (RUPPs) have failed to file financial reports for the 2024-25 financial year, according to findings by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR). The data highlights widespread non-compliance with regulatory requirements meant to ensure transparency in political financing across the country.

The compliance failures are spread across multiple states, though geographical variations exist in the extent of the problem. Uttar Pradesh emerged as the state with the highest number of RUPPs that managed to submit financial statements, followed by Delhi and Bihar. This suggests that while some states have better compliance records, the majority of unrecognised parties nationwide remain non-compliant with mandatory reporting obligations.

Registered unrecognised political parties are those that have completed the registration process but have not yet achieved recognition status from the Election Commission. Despite their provisional status, these parties are required to maintain financial records and submit reports to ensure accountability and prevent misuse of funds.

The ADR report underscores challenges in enforcing financial disclosure norms among smaller and emerging political formations. The widespread non-compliance raises questions about the effectiveness of existing monitoring mechanisms and the capacity of regulatory bodies to ensure uniform adherence to reporting standards across India's diverse political landscape.