Step-by-step
How to Register a Political Party in India: Step-by-Step Process
This is the practical, end-to-end sequence our practice follows to register a new political party in India — from the founders' resolution to the Election Commission's registration order. Each step lists what must exist on paper before the next one begins.
Step 1 — Form the association and pass a founders' resolution
A political party begins as an association of Indian citizens. The founding meeting must record a resolution adopting the party name, the office bearers, and the head office address. Section 29A requires the application to reach the Election Commission within thirty days of this formation date, so the resolution date drives the entire calendar.
Read the Section 29A registration guide: Registration of political party under Section 29A. Ready to file? Book a consultation.
Step 2 — Draft a compliant party constitution
The constitution must carry the Section 29A(5) declaration of true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India and to socialism, secularism and democracy. It must also set out internal elections, the term of office bearers, membership rules, disciplinary procedure, funds and accounts, and the amendment procedure.
Check the complete document checklist: Documents required for registration. Ready to file? Book a consultation.
Step 3 — Enrol one hundred registered electors
Each of the hundred members must be on an electoral roll and must swear a notarised affidavit confirming they are not a member of any other registered political party. Electoral roll part numbers and serial numbers should be captured on the member list so the Commission can verify them without a query.
Review the statutory eligibility rules: Eligibility and requirements. Ready to file? Book a consultation.
Step 4 — File Form PPR-1 with the fee and document pack
Form PPR-1 is signed by the President or General Secretary and filed with a non-refundable ₹10,000 processing fee by demand draft, the constitution, the member list and affidavits, PAN and bank details, and the head office proof.
Check the complete document checklist: Documents required for registration. Ready to file? Book a consultation.
Step 5 — Publish the public notice and answer objections
The Commission directs publication of a public notice in two national daily newspapers. Any person may object within thirty days. Objections must be answered on affidavit; unanswered objections are the single most common cause of a stalled file.
Check the complete document checklist: Documents required for registration. Ready to file? Book a consultation.
Step 6 — Registration order and post-registration compliance
On clearance the party is entered in the register of political parties and a registration order issues. Compliance then begins: annual contribution reports under Section 29C, audited accounts, income tax returns under Section 13A, and expenditure statements after each election.
Follow the stage-by-stage process: Step-by-step registration process. Ready to file? Book a consultation.
How to register a political party in India: step by step
The complete ECI registration route for a new political party in India — resolution, constitution, 100 elector affidavits, Form PPR-1, public notice and registration order.
Step 1. Pass the founders' resolution
Convene the founding group and pass a resolution adopting the party name, office bearers and the decision to seek registration under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
Step 2. Draft the party constitution and manifesto
Prepare a constitution containing the mandatory Section 29A(5) declaration of allegiance to the Constitution of India, socialism, secularism and democracy, along with organisational structure, membership rules and internal elections.
Step 3. Enrol at least 100 registered electors
Enrol a minimum of 100 members who are registered electors and obtain their individual affidavits confirming membership and that they are not members of any other registered political party.
Step 4. Assemble the document pack
Collate the constitution, founders' resolution, member roll, elector affidavits, office address proof, PAN, bank account details and photographs of the office bearers.
Step 5. File Form PPR-1 with the Election Commission
Submit Form PPR-1 online or to the Secretary, Election Commission of India, with the non-refundable ₹10,000 processing fee, and record the reference number issued on filing.
Step 6. Publish the public notice and answer objections
Publish the mandatory notice in two national and two local newspapers and on the ECI website, then respond to any objections received within the 30-day window.
Step 7. Receive the registration order
After scrutiny and any hearing, the Commission issues the registration order and the party is notified as a Registered Unrecognised Political Party (RUPP).
What you need
- Party constitution
- Founders' resolution
- 100 member affidavits
- Form PPR-1
- Demand draft of ₹10,000
Frequently asked
- How many members are needed to register a political party in India?
- At least one hundred members, each a registered elector, with signed and notarised affidavits confirming they belong to no other registered political party.
- How long does political party registration take?
- Four to six months in most cases, driven by the thirty-day public notice window and the Commission's scrutiny queries.
- What is the government fee to register a political party?
- A non-refundable processing fee of ₹10,000 payable by demand draft to the Under Secretary, Election Commission of India.