EC suspends recognition of Sangma’s party

The Election Commission on Tuesday suspended the recognition of P A Sangma's National People's Party for failing to file its election expenditure statement.

This is for the time that the poll watchdog has taken such a step of suspending recognition of a party using its powers under Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order 1968 "for its failure to follow the Lawful directions of the Commission," EC said in a statement.

The National People's Party, an alliance partner of the ruling NDA, is a recognised state party in Meghalaya.

An EC official explained that if the NPP is able to satisfy the poll body by filing "appropriate" statement, the suspension of recognition can be withdrawn.

"It is a final notice before derecognition. We will now treat the party as derecognised for the time being...the party has not been derecognised as such," he explained. Following a Supreme Court judgement in the case of Common Cause Vs Union of India, EC had earlier issued instructions to all political parties to file their election expenditure statement within 75 days of assembly elections and 90 days of Lok Sabha elections.