Delhi High Court Directs ECI to Expedite Registration Process for New Political Party

All Party Hills Leader Conference Granted Time to Rectify Application Errors; ECI Ordered to Act Promptly

In a significant ruling, the Delhi High Court has directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to promptly address the application for the registration of a new political entity, the All Party Hills Leader Conference. The court has mandated that the petitioner rectify any discrepancies in their application within one week, while instructing the ECI to finalize the registration process within eight weeks thereafter.

The judgment was delivered by Justice Mini Pushkarna in response to a writ petition filed by the All Party Hills Leader Conference. The petitioner had sought the court's intervention to expedite the registration process after experiencing delays in obtaining approval from the ECI. 

The political party, eager to participate in the upcoming General Legislative Assembly Election in Assam scheduled for 2026, had initially submitted their application on March 6, 2025. Despite submitting additional documents in July, their request remained unprocessed due to identified deficiencies by the ECI.

The court's decision came after it was revealed that the ECI had issued a letter on November 14, 2025, highlighting the missing documents required for the application's completion. The petitioner's counsel assured the court of their intention to submit the necessary documents within the stipulated one-week period.

Justice Pushkarna's directive obligates the ECI to review the revised application and complete the registration process, ensuring the political party's ability to participate in the electoral process. The court emphasized the necessity for timely compliance from both parties to facilitate a fair electoral environment.

The verdict underscores the judiciary's role in ensuring administrative bodies adhere to procedural timelines, particularly in the context of political participation and democratic processes.

Bottom Line:

The Election Commission of India is directed to consider the application for registration of a political party upon removal of discrepancies and take necessary action within a specified time frame.

Statutory provision(s): Representation of The People Act, 1951 Section 29A

All Party Hills Leader Conference v. Election Commission of India, (Delhi) : Law Finder Doc Id # 2819748