In News

• The Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Admi Party’s victory in the 2022 Punjab elections has brought the reasonably-new political outfit closer to attain the coveted status of a ‘national party’.
• Seven political parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress, currently enjoy the status of a national party, as per data from the Election Commission of India.
  

Benefits of National Party

• A national party can use its unique symbol to fight all elections, is eligible for a party office in Delhi, and is also entitled to two sets of electoral rolls free of cost at the time of revision of rolls, and their candidates get one copy of electoral roll free of cost during general elections.
• Such parties also get broadcast/telecast facilities over Akashvani/Doordarshan during general elections. A recognised national party can also nominate up to 40 ‘star campaigners’ during general elections.

Eligibility to become a National Party 

• It wins at least two percent seats in the House of the People (i.e., 11 seats in the existing House having 543 members), and these members are elected from at least three different States.
• Get at least six per cent votes in four states in addition to four Lok Sabha seats.
• Be recognised as a ‘state party’ in four or more states.

To be eligible for a ‘State Political Party:

• It must secure six per cent of the votes during the Assembly elections and two Assembly seats; or
• Six per cent of votes in the Lok Sabha from the state and an MP from the state; or
• Three per cent of total Assembly seats or three seats (whichever is greater); or
• One MP from every 25 Lok Sabha seats or eight per cent of total votes in the state during the Lok Sabha election from the state or the Assembly polls.

Source- The Hindu