Election symbols cannot be done away with, ECI tells HC

It also defends practice of allotting reserved symbols to recognised parties alone

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday told the Madras High Court that the practice of allotting election symbols cannot be done away with, though the literacy rate of the country has increased substantially since the first general elections were held in 1952 and now most voters are capable of reading the names of the candidates as well as the political parties in the fray. The ECI said: “When it comes to the question of an inclusive voting process, the usage of symbols to identify candidates becomes irreplaceable and even if a very small minority continues to be illiterate in the country, the requirement of symbols cannot be done away with… Even for those who are literate, the symbols constitute an easy way of identifying their preferred candidates.” The submissions were made in response to a case filed by Tamizhaga Murpokku Makkal Katchi, through its counsel K. Sakthivel, challenging the validity of some provisions of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968. The petitioner had contended that allotment of reserved symbols to recognised political parties alone was against the principle of ensuring a level- playing field.