No one symbol to Swaraj India: Election Commission

The Election Commission on Wednesday told the Delhi High Court it cannot allot a common symbol to an unrecognized party.

The poll panel was hearing of plea of the Yogendra Yadav-led Swaraj India, which challenged the Delhi Election Commission's denial of a common symbol to its candidates for the upcoming civic polls.

The Delhi Election Commission official told the High Court that it had no power to allot a common symbol to a registered but unrecognized party.

For a common symbol, the party has to get 6 per cent votes or have at least two MLAs, the official said.

Swaraj India told a division bench headed by Justice Badar Durrez Ahmed that if the party does not get a common symbol, then its candidate would be treated as independents.

The court will continue hearing on Thursday.

Swaraj India is set to contest the April 22 municipal polls in Delhi.

Its lawyer Ahas told the court that under the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) (Amendment) Order, the Election Commission allows newly registered political parties to have a common symbol for all candidates in the first election.

Swaraj India has blamed the Aam Aadmi Party government in Delhi for the denial of common symbol.

--IANS

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