EC’s Rules on Election Symbols

Why in News?

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) is not a political party; even if it registers and asks for the cockroach as its election symbol, the Election Commission is unlikely to allow it.

• Legal Provision – The EC allots election symbols to parties and independent candidates as per the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968.
• Recognised National & State Parties – The candidates are allotted to the reserved symbol of their respective parties; for instance, BJP (lotus) & Congress (raised hand).
• Unrecognised parties – The EC allots symbols from a list of “free symbols”.
• The independent candidates & unrecognised parties can request their choice of symbol from the list, but they are not assured of getting the same.
• Allowed Symbols – In the list of free symbols, which the EC revises from time to time, images include
  • Fruits & vegetables – Jackfruit, grapes, and many others.
  • Household Appliances – Air-conditioner, mmersion rod, latch, mixer, toothbrush, and TV remote.
  • Everyday Items – Balloon, doorbell, dustbin, frying pan, toothbrush.
  • Food Items – Cake, toffees, and other edible symbols.
  • Farm & Sports Equipment – Tools & gear commonly used in daily life.
• Exception – The EC list states that certain symbols can be allotted freely except in certain states and Union Territories.
• For instance – The apple symbol can be allotted freely across India, except in certain states and Union Territories like
  • Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka.
• In those states, the apple symbol is already taken by a recognised party.
• Different recognised parties in different states can use the same symbol, since there’s no rule against it, and they usually don’t compete.
• Cockroach be an election symbol – Following representations from animal welfare activists in the 1990s, the EC stopped allotting animals as election symbols.
• TN 1989 election – Former Union Minister and founder of People for Animals (PFA), Maneka Gandhi recalled that during the 1989 TN election, roosters used as symbols were mistreated and many died.
• Symbol of Bahujan Samaj Party – It was formed prior to the ban, still retains its election symbol, the elephant, one of the few exceptions.
• Not Allowed – With the current EC’s rules against allotting animals, to stand in cockroach symbols would not be allowed.

Reference

Indian Express | Can a political party have the cockroach as its election symbol?