Allocation of Election Symbols in India

  • What is an Election Symbol?:  An election symbol is a pictorial representation allotted to a political party or candidate and printed on the ballot paper/EVM to help voters easily identify their choice.
  • Legal Basis: The allocation of election symbols is governed by the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968, issued by the Election Commission of India (ECI) under the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
  • Process of Allocation
    • Recognition/Registration: A political party is recognised as a National or State Party, or registered as an unrecognised party. Independent candidates can also seek symbols.
    • Claim/Request: The party or candidate submits a request to the Election Commission for allotment of a symbol.
    • Availability Check: ECI checks the list of available free symbols. Reserved symbols are generally unavailable to others.
    • Allotment: A symbol is allotted according to applicable rules, party status and preference/request.
    • Publication: The allotted symbols are officially published by the Election Commission.
    • Locking: Once allotted for an election, the symbol is fixed for the concerned party/candidate for that election.
  • Basis of Allocation / Priority
    • Recognised National Political Parties: Have symbols reserved exclusively for them.
    • Recognised State Political Parties: Have reserved symbols subject to the provisions of the Symbols Order.
    • Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs): Contest using available free symbols, subject to ECI rules.
    • Independent Candidates: Are allotted symbols from the list of free symbols.
  • Restricted Symbols
    • National symbols such as the National Flag and State Emblem
    • Religious symbols
    • Symbols likely to promote enmity or offend a class
    • Matters affecting public order or morality
    • Symbols resembling registered trademarks
    • Other symbols restricted by the Election Commission

Classification of Political Parties 

  • Conditions for Recognition as a National Party
    • If it secures six per cent of valid votes polled in any four or more states at a general election to the Lok Sabha or to the legislative assembly; and, in addition, it wins four seats in the Lok Sabha from any state or states.
    • If it wins two per cent of seats in the Lok Sabha at a general election; and these candidates are elected from three states;
    • If it is recognised as a state party in four states.
  • Conditions for Recognition as a State Party
    • If it secures six per cent of the valid votes polled in the state at a general election to the legislative assembly of the state concerned; and, in addition, it wins 2 seats in the assembly of the state concerned.
    • If it secures six per cent of the valid votes polled in the state at a general election to the Lok Sabha from the state concerned; and, in addition, it wins 1 seat in the Lok Sabha from the state concerned.
    • If it wins three per cent of seats in the legislative assembly at a general election to the legislative assembly of the state concerned or 3 seats in the assembly, whichever is more.
    • If it wins 1 seat in the Lok Sabha for every 25 seats or any fraction thereof allotted to the state at a general election to the Lok Sabha from the state concerned.
    •  If it secures eight per cent of the total valid votes polled in the state at a General Election to the Lok Sabha from the state or to the legislative assembly of the state.
  • Registered Unrecognised Political Party (RUPP)

 

Source: The Hindu