The Calcutta High Court has questioned the Election Commission's decision to allot the 'envelope' symbol, earlier used by the Indian Secular Front, to a rebel faction of the Trinamool Congress (TMC).
On Thursday, the Calcutta High Court raised concerns over the Election Commission's decision to allot the 'envelope' poll symbol, previously used by the Indian Secural Front, to the rebel faction of the TMC for the upcoming bye-elections. The court questioned whether such decisions were forcing persons to initiate legal proceedings. The High Court also inquired why the commission chose the 'envelope' symbol when 183 other symbols were available. The Election Commission had allotted new names and symbols to the two factions of the TMC on September 18, with the Arup Roy-led rebel faction being allotted the name Democratic Trinamool Congress and the 'envelope' as its symbol.
The Indian Secular Front, a political party based in West Bengal, moved court against this decision, stating that the allotment of the symbol could confuse voters since the Indian Secular Front was also contesting the October 6 bye-polls. The Indian Secular Front suggested that the Election Commission freeze the 'envelope' symbol for all parties and allot different symbols.
During the hearing, the Election Commission informed the court that while the Indian Secular Front had been allotted the symbol in 2021 and had contested elections using it in 2024 and 2026, the 'envelope' was listed as a free symbol. However, the court noted that the Indian Secular Front’s grievance was that a symbol previously used by one party had been allotted to another party.
The hearing was adjourned after the counsel for the poll panel sought time to take instructions.
Source:
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