What is Election Symbols?

What is Election Symbols?

A Political Party is given a standardized symbol known as an Electoral or Election Symbol. These symbols are used by the parties for their campaigning and are also shown on Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) when voters select the symbol and vote for the associated parties. They were created to make voting easier for those who are illiterate and can not read the names of the parties. The political party’s principal mark and its identity, embodying its ideology and aspirations, are represented by this symbol. The Election Commission of India (ECI) recognizes and allots election symbols for national and state-level political parties if they comply with the relevant criteria....

How is an Election Symbol Allotted?

The Election Commission of India (ECI) recognizes and allots election symbols for national and state-level political parties if they comply with the relevant criteria. Political Parties are classified as Recognized and Unrecognized:...

Powers of Election Commission in Election Symbol Dispute:

The Election Commission is empowered to identify political parties and allot symbols under the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968.  In case a recognized political party splits- Under paragraph 15 of the Order, the Commission can decide which faction can use the symbol or the Commission may also choose to freeze the symbol and ask both factions to contest in fresh elections.  The EC may take into account all the available facts and circumstances and undertake a test of majority. It tests the strength of a party organization’s support among the splitting factors. The decision of the Election Commission shall be binding on all such rival sections/groups. Additionally, if the claimants are reunited, they may approach the EC once more and ask to be recognized as a unified party. The Commission has the authority to approve group mergers into a single political party. Even the Commission may restore the name and symbol of the original party. In Sadiq Ali and another vs ECI in 1971, the Supreme Court upheld the validity of the Election Commission as the only authority to decide issues on a dispute or a merger.    In case of registered unrecognized party splits, the Election Commission encourages the fighting groups to resolve their disputes internally or to approach the court....

Can anyone challenge the decision of the Election Commission?

The Supreme Court and the High Court can hear petitions challenging the Election Commission’s decisions, but once the election process has started, they have no ability to interfere. A Constitutional organization like the Election Commission, which is responsible for safeguarding India’s electoral democracy, can operate efficiently provided there is a widespread understanding that any appeals of its rulings should only be heard by the judiciary in cases where there are systemic problems....

Conclusion

The Election Commission is the protector of the Indian Constitution. The Elections Commission (EC) is authorised to identify political parties and assign symbols under the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968. It has the authority to resolve disagreements between rival parties or splits of a recognised political party under Article 15 of the Order. Hitherto, the Election Commission has been making judgements in a fairly impartial way. It is one of the few constitutional authorities with the freedom to act independently....