Political Party symbols granted by ECI challenged

Today a Writ petition challenging the permanent election symbols to National and State recognized political parties has been filed in Allahabad High Court, Lucknow Bench.

The petition filed by social activist Dr. Nutan Thakur says that the Election Commission has provided permanent election symbols to National and State recognized political parties under Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968 against Rules 5 and 10 of the Conduct of Election Rules 1961 because these Rules say that symbols shall be provided by the Returning Officer only at the time of elections while here the Election Commission provides these symbols on permanent basis.

Thakur says that this act of Election Commission gives undue favour to recognized parties and distorts the level playing field.

The petition also says that dozens of election symbols like at Hand, Clock, Book, Ceiling Fan, Chair and table are against section 130 of the Representation of People’s Act 1951 which says that no election related signs shall be placed anywhere in 100 meter periphery of the polling booth while these symbols are always present in the polling booth itself.

Hence Thakur has asked for quashing the party symbols and illegal election symbols.

Dr Nutan Thakur (Petitioner- 094155-34525)
Asok Pande (Counsel- 094154-65438)