Cannot regulate political blocs, says Election Commission on INDIA | India News

NEW DELHI: The EC has told the Delhi HC it lacks the legal authority to regulate “political alliances“, while responding to a petition challenging the use of the acronym INDIA by a coalition of 26 opposition parties.
The EC said it possesses the power to conduct elections and register entities as political parties, but “political alliances” are not recognised as “regulated entities” under the Representation of the People Act or the Constitution.The EC clarified that its reply is limited to its role and should not be construed as an expression of its stand on the “legality of the usage of the acronym INDIA”.

The poll panel referenced a Kerala high court ruling that a political front or an alliance of political parties is not considered a legal entity under the Representation of the People Act.
In August, the high court had sought responses from the Centre, EC, and the political parties involved in the petition, with a hearing scheduled for October 31.
The plea challenging the use of the INDIA acronym alleges that these parties are taking “undue advantage in the name of our country”. It has requested an interim order to prohibit the use of INDIA by the political alliance and also the national flag with this acronym.