What’s in the news?

• In the Bihar elections, the symbols such as capsicum, chapati roller, dolli, bangles, etc have been allocated to the candidates. 
• It is important to understand how the Election Commission allocates the candidates their symbols. 

What is the significance of symbols in the elections?

• The symbols are very crucial campaigning tools to connect with the voters. 
• Symbols have been used since the first national polls in 1951-52. It was also crucial during that time because almost 85% of the electorate was illiterate.
• The candidates are recognised by their visual symbols.

How many types of symbols are there?

• There are two types of symbols with the Election Commission (EC) according to Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) (Amendment) Order, 2017. They are:

1. Reserved symbols 
2. Free symbols

• All the 8 national parties nad 64 state parties have fixed RESERVED symbols.
• The EC has about 200 free symbols with it, which are allocated to unrecognised regional parties (non-national and non-state parties) when elections occur.

How are symbols allocated?

• The EC allots symbols according to order which was first promulgated in 1968.
• The order mandates the Election Commission to provide for “specification, reservation, choice and allotment of symbols at parliamentary and assembly elections, for the recognition of political parties”.
• If a party/candidate wants to get a symbol allotted, he/she must provide a list of three symbols from the EC’s free symbols list at the time of filing nomination papers. Among them, one symbol is allotted to the party/candidate on a first-come-first-serve basis.