A political party is recognized by the Election Commission only if: I. It has been engaged in political activity for a continuous period of five years. II. Has returned for every 25 members of the Lok Sabha for every 25 members of that House or any fraction of that number elected from that State. III. Has polled not less than six per cent of the total number of valid votes polled by all contesting candidates at the general elections. IV. Has contested elections in four or more states in three consecutive general elections. (AILET 2012)