Election Commission's Rule Shift on Party Symbols
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has amended the rules governing the retention of party symbols, significantly impacting alliance partners in various poll-bound states.
Background and Amendment
- The Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) (Amendment) Order, 2026 was issued on March 28.
- Under the earlier rules, Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs) were required to secure at least 1% of valid votes in both of the last two elections to retain a common symbol.
- The revised rule now allows parties to qualify if they secure 1% in either of the two elections, thus making performance in just one election — Lok Sabha or Assembly — sufficient.
Impact on Political Parties
- The amendment benefits smaller parties by allowing them to retain symbols closely tied to their identity, which under previous criteria could have been lost due to fluctuating vote shares.
- Recognised national parties like BJP and Congress have permanently reserved symbols, while smaller parties rely on 'free symbols' allotted for specific polls.
Specific Party Benefits
- Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK):
- Secured a 2.4% vote share in the 2021 assembly elections but dropped to 0.9% in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
- Under new rules, it can retain its symbol, the pressure cooker.
- Twenty20 in Kerala:
- Secured a 7.9% vote share in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, compared to 0.7% in the 2021 assembly polls.
- Expected to benefit under the amended rules.
- Indian Secular Front (ISF) in West Bengal:
- Secured a 1.1% vote share in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, compared to 0.8% in the 2021 assembly elections.
- Now eligible to retain a common symbol under the revised criteria.
Conclusion
The amendment by the ECI is part of an ongoing clean-up drive, which has seen the delisting of nearly 1,000 RUPPs over the past year for ineligibility or misuse. This change is expected to provide relief to several smaller parties, allowing them to maintain their electoral symbols and identity.
