Explanation : According to the rules, a party has to win three percent of the total number of seats in a state assembly to become a regional party. In October 2011, the Election Commission (EC) eased the norms of granting ‘Regional Party’ status. As per the new rules, parties without winning any Lok Sabha or Assembly seat can be recogntsed as regional party only if they get eight percent of the total valid votes. Until then, the status of regional party was granted to those political parties which secured a minimum of six per cent of the total valid votes polled in a state in addition to winning at least two seats in that Assembly. ....Read more