The Communist Party of India, which has ten members in the Lok Sabha, faces the threat of derecognition as a national
political party on the basis of its performance in the last Lok Sabha election.

The Election Commission has sent a notice in this connection to the party. The party has been given time till August 31 to reply.

The notice says the party has been unable to two meet criteria for being recognised as a national parties -- a minimum of 11 members in the Lok Sabha or six per cent or more vote share in four or more states.

CPI has ten MPs in the Lok Sabha and has six per cent vote share in only two states -- Kerala and Manipur.

When contacted, CPI national secretary D Raja confirmed the party has received a communication from the EC. "We are examining the rules and we will be sending our reply to the commission," he said.