DESIYA MURPOKKU DRAVIDA KAZHAGAM vs ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA

The Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of the amendment to the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968, which requires a political party to secure at least 6% of the total valid votes and return at least 2 members to the Legislative Assembly to be recognized as a State party. The Court found that the Election Commission's decision to deny recognition to the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam, despite securing 8.33% of the votes, was justified due to the failure to meet the legislative representation requirement. The judgment clarified the standards for party recognition under the amended provisions, affirming the Election Commission's authority in this regard.