Hyderabad: The State Election Commission released a list of 71 free symbols for candidates contesting the upcoming local body elections in Telangana. Registered but unrecognised parties and independent candidates can choose from these symbols.
The list, however, included symbols that the BRS had earlier opposed for their similarity to its car symbol. The party had submitted a petition last July requesting their removal. Yet the Commission went ahead with the release, keeping the disputed icons intact.
71 free symbols notified for independents
The Commission said 71 registered parties in Telangana currently have no reserved symbols. Candidates from these outfits, as well as independents, must select from the notified free list at the time of filing nominations. The list features everyday items such as a roti maker, camera, ship, air conditioner, apple, bangles, fruit basket, torch, beads necklace, belt, binoculars, bread, calculator, can, capsicum, carpet, carrom board, chair, chapati roller, coat, drilling machine and dumbbells. The NOTA option will also appear at the bottom of the ballot paper.
Recognised parties and their allotted symbols
The Commission separately announced party symbols for eight recognised outfits. The Congress, BJP, AAP and CPM were listed as national parties. Regionally, MIM, BRS, TDP and YSRCP retained their identifiers. The Janasena Party got the glass tumbler, CPI the sickle and hammer, and All India Forward Bloc the lion. Officials confirmed that parties with official symbols will contest on them, while unrecognised parties and independents must depend on the free list.
BRS leaders repeated their objection to the inclusion of the chapati roller, camera and ship symbols. They argued that voters could confuse them with the party’s car icon. They criticised the Commission for ignoring their petition despite submitting it months earlier.
