<h1>Election Commission delists 334 inactive political parties under Representation of the People Act, barring election participation</h1> The Election Commission has delisted 334 registered unrecognised political parties for failing to contest any elections since 2019 and for being physically untraceable. This action reduces the total number of such parties from 2,854 to 2,520 nationwide. The delisting follows proceedings initiated against 345 parties and aims to clean up the political system by removing defunct entities. Although the Supreme Court previously barred the Commission from derecognising parties, the Commission has adopted a delisting mechanism that allows reinstatement without fresh recognition. Registered political parties enjoy privileges under the Representation of the People Act, including tax exemptions. The delisted parties are now barred from fielding candidates in upcoming elections, including the Bihar polls. Some of these parties have previously been implicated in violations of income tax and anti-money laundering laws.