How Are Symbols Allotted?
Symbols are assigned by the Election Commission of India (ECI) based on the Symbols Order.
National or state-recognized parties have exclusive symbols that aren’t given to other candidates.
Symbols help voters identify parties, especially important in a country with significant illiteracy.
What Is the Present Issue?
In July 2023, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) split, with the Ajit Pawar faction claiming majority support in the Maharashtra assembly.
In February 2024, the ECI recognized Ajit Pawar’s faction as the real NCP and allotted it the ‘clock’ symbol.
The Sharad Pawar faction was given a different symbol.
The Sharad Pawar faction claims voters were confused about which faction was the real NCP and is seeking to freeze the ‘clock’ symbol.
What Are Past Instances?
The ECI has previously frozen symbols during disputes:
AIADMK's ‘two leaves’ symbol was frozen in 1989 and 2017.
Shiv Sena’s ‘bow and arrow’ symbol was frozen before a bye-election in 2022.
The ECI decides which faction retains the party symbol in case of a split.
Way Forward
The Supreme Court has a three-test formula to determine the original party:
Party aims and objectives.
Internal democracy as per party constitution.
Majority support in the legislature and organization.
The ECI based its recognition on majority support but may need to reconsider due to the performance of the Sharad Pawar faction in recent elections.
The Supreme Court may order the ECI to freeze the ‘clock’ symbol for upcoming elections.
Emphasis on institutionalizing internal democracy in parties, suggesting that party members should advocate for regular internal elections without ECI involvement.
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