The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Nagaland has issued show-cause notices to the Nagaland Congress and the United Naga Democratic Party (UNDP) after the Election Commission of India (ECI) listed them among 476 Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs) across the country that may face delisting.
The notices stated that both parties have failed to contest elections for six consecutive years, including Lok Sabha, State Assembly, and bye-elections since 2019. Citing Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the CEO noted that it was “self-evident” the two parties had ceased to function for electoral purposes.
Both parties have been asked to submit written representations by August 26, supported by affidavits and documents, explaining why they should not be delisted. Hearings have been scheduled on the same day at the CEO’s office in Kohima — 12 noon for the UNDP and 1 pm for the Nagaland Congress.
The CEO’s office cautioned that if no response is received, the Commission will proceed with delisting “without further communication.”
The ECI began the exercise of removing dormant parties in 2019. In the first round, completed on August 9, 334 RUPPs were delisted, though none were from Nagaland. In the second round, announced on Monday, 476 more parties have been identified, including the two from the state.