The recent dispute in India over election symbols, as seen in the case of the ruling Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) party in Telangana, brings to light the process of allocating symbols to political parties. The Election Commission of India (ECI) plays a crucial role in this allocation, with symbols being either reserved or free.
Authority and Process for Symbol Allocation
The ECI is responsible for allotting election symbols in India, governed by The Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968. This order specifies the criteria for reserving, choosing, and allotting symbols in parliamentary and assembly constituencies. It aims to recognize political parties and regulate the use of symbols during elections.
Reserved and Free Symbols
Symbols can be either reserved, exclusive to recognized political parties, or ‘free’, available for unregistered and unrecognised parties. Recognized national and state parties are granted exclusive symbols, while unrecognised registered parties may choose from free, non-exclusive symbols.
ECI’s Notification of Symbols
The ECI publishes lists of political parties and their symbols through notifications in the Gazette of India. As of the most recent notifications, there are six national parties, 26 state parties, and 2,597 registered unrecognised parties.
Origins of Election Symbols
Symbols used by political parties were conceived by MS Sethi, a former draughtsman at the ECI. In collaboration with ECI officials, Sethi brainstormed symbols that would resonate with the common people. Many well-known symbols, including bicycles, elephants, and brooms, were born from these brainstorming sessions. Lesser-known symbols, such as a pair of glasses, a nail cutter, and a necktie, were also suggested. The goal was to create symbols that could be easily identified by the public.
Preferences and Proposals by Political Parties
The 1968 order mandates that unregistered parties provide a list of ten symbols in order of preference from the ECI’s list of free symbols. Parties may also propose three new symbols of their choice, along with names and clear designs. The ECI considers these proposals for allotment as the party’s common symbol if there are no objections.Party-proposed symbols should not resemble existing reserved or free symbols, nor have religious or communal connotations, or depict birds or animals.
Symbol Assignment in Party Splits
In cases of political party splits, the ECI makes the decision on symbol allocation. The ECI also rejected requests for certain symbols due to religious connotations and conflicts with other parties’ symbols.