Now with most parties being edged out by the Election commission since none of them have the required number of seats in the lok Sabha . According to the criteria set by the poll panel, a 'national party' needs to get at least 6% votes each from minimum four states, or get 2% of total seats in the Lok Sabha from at least three states, or it should be a recognised as a state party in at least four states.
NCP, BSP and CPI no longer fulfil any of the above conditions. The three parties had time till June 27 to contest EC's move and seek a hearing. If they are derecognised, then BJP, Congress and CPI(M) will be the only political parties that will continue to enjoy the national tag. Under the Symbols Order 1968, a party, on losing the national status, does not have the right to fight elections using a common symbol across the country.
In other words, if the decision is implemented, the analogue clock symbol will not be reserved for all NCP candidates across the country. It can use it only in states where it is recognized as a state party.
This is equivalent to losing the national character of the party. Also, NCP, BSP and CPI could lose facilities like utilising All India Radio and Doordarshan for poll-eve broadcasts and free copies of electoral rolls, which they enjoyed as national parties