The Calcutta High Court on Thursday questioned the Election Commission over its decision to allot the ‘envelope’ symbol, earlier associated with the ISF, to the newly formed Democratic Trinamool Congress for the upcoming Nandigram Assembly by-election, observing that the poll authority should act fairly.
Justice Krishna Rao noted that the Election Commission has 183 free election symbols available and asked why the ‘envelope’ symbol was assigned to another party in a constituency where the ISF has also fielded a candidate.
The court orally observed that the symbol could have been kept reserved instead of being allotted to the new party.
Court Questions Need For Reassignment
During the hearing of the ISF’s petition challenging the reassignment, Justice Rao asked why the Election Commission had created a dispute by allocating the ‘envelope’ symbol to the Democratic Trinamool Congress.
The court remarked that the Commission’s actions were leading parties to approach the court repeatedly and questioned whether the authority was functioning in a fair manner.
Justice Rao also observed that the poll body should act fairly while dealing with the allocation of election symbols.
Dispute Over Who Chooses Election Symbol
The Election Commission’s counsel submitted that candidates contesting elections have the choice to select a symbol.
The petitioner’s lawyer disputed this submission and maintained that the final allotment of an election symbol is made by the Election Commission.
The court also raised the issue of why a notification concerning the allotment of symbols for the bypoll had not been issued.
Hearing Adjourned Till Friday
The Election Commission’s counsel sought time to obtain instructions on the absence of such a notification. The High Court accordingly adjourned the matter until Friday.
The Nandigram Assembly by-election is scheduled to be held on October 6. The seat fell vacant after Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari vacated it.
