SC SEEKS IUML’S RESPONSE ON PLEA TO CANCEL ITS REGISTRATION

NEW DELHI The Supreme Court on Friday sought response of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) on a petition to cancel registration of the party and other political outfits that use religious connotations in their name or poll symbols.

The decision came after the Election Commission on Thursday said that political parties were prohibited in 2005 from using religious connotations. However, no action was possible against parties such as IUML and AIMIM as they were registered prior to this year. The EC affidavit said: “As per present statute, there is no express provision which bars associations with religious connotations to register themselves as political parties...” The next hearing in the case is on January 31.