What do an apple, a biscuit, a pressure cooker, a sugarcane farmer, a bowl of noodles or even ice cream have in common? All these are included in the list of 197 election symbols released by the State Election Commission on Friday for the Delhi civic polls. Independents and candidates from unrecognized parties have at least one function cut-out: ‘Ganna Kisan’ (sugarcane farmer), ‘Nagrik’ (citizen), an interesting mix of noodles bowl, ice cream, a variety of election symbols. to choose from. Items of daily use, fruits, vegetables and kitchen appliances.
“Free symbols” include fruits such as apples, grapes and pineapples; Food items such as biscuits, cakes, breads; Kitchen items like pressure cooker, mixer grinder, bread roller and many other electronic items. There are also some obscure symbols on the list, such as a lamppost, gift pack, expansion board, wall hook, envelope and door handle.
The SEC notified that elections for 272 wards of the three municipal corporations are to be held in April. The list of 197 election symbols was issued under the ‘Delhi Municipal Corporation Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 2022’.
As per the order, every independent candidate will have to mention three preferences of the symbols chosen in the nomination paper. If more than one candidate selects the same symbol, the Returning Officer will draw a draw for allotment.
As always, candidates from national parties including Trinamool Congress, Bahujan Samaj Party, BJP, CPI, CPI(M), Congress; And reserved election symbols will be allotted to Meghalaya-based National People’s Party. The broom symbol allotted to AAP, recognized as a “Delhi State Party” by the Election Commission of India, said in the order.
In another order, the Election Commission also said that the maximum limit for expenditure to be incurred by a candidate would be Rs 8 lakh. The North and South Delhi Municipal Corporations have 104 wards each. East Delhi Municipal Corporation has 64 wards. Half the wards are reserved for women candidates. There are also reserved wards for Scheduled Caste candidates.
In the last civic polls, the BJP returned to power in all three corporations by winning 181 out of 272 wards. The party’s nearest rival, the AAP, managed to win only 49 wards, while the Congress won 31. Independent candidates won three in North Delhi, four in South Delhi and one in East Delhi.
(with PTI inputs)
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