The Calcutta High Court raised questions over the Election Commission’s decision regarding a poll symbol. The court questioned giving the ‘Envelope’ symbol to Democratic Trinamool Congress (TMC-D).
TMC-D represents the rebel faction of the Trinamool Congress. The symbol was earlier used by the Indian Secular Front (ISF). Therefore, the court asked whether the decision followed fair principles.
Court Raises Questions On Election Commission’s Decision
During the hearing, the court said the Election Commission must work without bias. The judges questioned why the same symbol was included after objections were raised.
The court noted that another party had used the symbol months earlier. Additionally, the judges highlighted that the commission has 183 available symbols.
The court said the Election Commission should focus on fairness instead of only explaining rules.
ISF Opposed Allocation Of Envelope Symbol To TMC-D
The Indian Secular Front approached the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday. The party requested the court to stop the Election Commission from giving the ‘Envelope’ symbol to TMC-D.
Earlier, the Election Commission assigned the ‘Almirah’ symbol to ISF led by Naushad Siddiqui. ISF had contested the 2024 Lok Sabha election and the April West Bengal assembly election using the ‘Envelope’ symbol.
However, ISF challenged the commission’s decision in the High Court. The party questioned whether the Election Commission properly used its powers while allotting the symbol.
Nandigram And Rejinagar Bypolls Scheduled On October 6
The Election Commission had instructed both TMC factions on September 17. The order stopped them from using the party name and ‘Twin Flowers’ symbol in the Nandigram and Rejinagar assembly bypolls.
Meanwhile, ISF lawyer Bikash Bhattacharya requested directions from the court. He asked the commission not to allot the ‘Envelope’ symbol to another unregistered party in the same election.
Later, the court postponed the hearing for one day after the Election Commission’s lawyer requested time. The matter was heard again today.
The Nandigram and Rejinagar bypolls will take place on October 6. Moreover, election campaigning will end on October 4. ISF has fielded its candidate from the Nandigram constituency.
