Election Symbols in India (Indian Polity Notes for JKSSB/SSC/UPSC/Competitive Exams)
1. Meaning of Election Symbol
An Election Symbol is a visual mark allotted by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to a political party or an independent candidate to help voters identify them on the ballot paper or Electronic Voting Machine (EVM). Symbols are especially important for illiterate and semi-literate voters.
Constitutional and Legal Basis
There is no direct provision regarding election symbols in the Constitution of India.
Election symbols are governed by:
Article 324 – Superintendence, direction and control of elections by the Election Commission of India.
Representation of the People Act, 1951Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968 (Most Important)
Exam Point:
The Election Symbols Order, 1968 is one of the most frequently asked facts in competitive examinations.
Why Election Symbols are Important?
Helps illiterate voters identify candidates.
Gives a unique identity to political parties.Prevents confusion among candidates.
Strengthens party branding.
Ensures free and fair elections.
Types of Election Symbols
1. Reserved Symbols
Reserved exclusively for Recognized National Parties and Recognized State Parties.
No other recognized party can use that symbol.Examples:
| Party | Symbol |
|---|---|
| BJP | Lotus |
| INC | Hand |
| CPI(M) | Hammer, Sickle and Star |
| BSP | Elephant |
| AAP | Broom |
2. Free Symbols
These are not reserved for any recognized political party.
They are allotted to:
Registered Unrecognized Political Parties
Independent CandidatesExamples:
Football
Cup and SaucerGas Cylinder
Camera
Bat
Coconut
Ring
Violin
The list changes periodically according to ECI notifications.
Political Parties in India
A. Registered Political Party
A political party registered with the Election Commission under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
Not every registered party is recognized.
B. Recognized Political Party
A party recognized by the Election Commission as:
National Party
State Party
These parties receive reserved election symbols.
Criteria for Recognition as a State Party
A political party becomes a State Party if it satisfies any one of the conditions prescribed by the Election Commission (criteria are revised from time to time).
Important exam points include:
Required percentage of valid votes and seats in Assembly or Lok Sabha elections from that state.
Winning prescribed number of Assembly or Lok Sabha seats.
Always remember:
Recognition is decided only by the Election Commission of India.
Criteria for National Party
A party becomes a National Party if it fulfills any one of the prescribed conditions, such as:
Recognition as a State Party in a specified number of states.
Required percentage of votes and Lok Sabha seats.Winning minimum Lok Sabha seats from multiple states.
The ECI reviews party status periodically based on election performance.
Who Allots Election Symbols?
Election Commission of India (ECI)
Power derived from:
Article 324
Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968
Can Election Symbols be Frozen?
Yes.
If there is a split within a recognized political party, the Election Commission may:
Freeze the original symbol.
Ask both factions to use temporary names and symbols.Later allot the original symbol to the faction recognized as the real party.
Famous Symbol Disputes
1. Shiv Sena
Original Symbol:
Bow and Arrow
Following the party split, the ECI allotted:
Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) – Bow and Arrow
Uddhav faction – Flaming Torch (temporary/new symbol)2. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)
Original Symbol:
Clock
After the split:
NCP (Ajit Pawar) retained the Clock.
Sharad Pawar faction received another symbol.
3. Samajwadi Party
Original Symbol:
Bicycle
The Election Commission recognized the Akhilesh Yadav faction, allowing it to retain the Bicycle symbol.
Can an Independent Candidate Keep the Same Symbol Forever?
No.
Independent candidates receive a free symbol only for that election.
They have no permanent claim over any symbol.
Can Two Recognized Parties Have the Same Reserved Symbol?
No.
One reserved symbol belongs exclusively to one recognized political party.
Can a Registered Unrecognized Party Get a Reserved Symbol?
Generally, No.
Such parties are allotted free symbols unless they qualify for recognition under ECI rules or receive a permitted concession.
Election Symbols and EVM
On an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM), every candidate's name appears with:
Party Name
Candidate Name
Election Symbol
This helps voters identify the candidate easily.
Powers of Election Commission Regarding Symbols
The ECI can:
Reserve symbols.
Withdraw symbols.Freeze symbols.
Allot new symbols.
Settle disputes.
Recognize political parties.
Derecognize political parties.
Amend the Symbol Order.
Important Years (Highly Important)
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1950 | Election Commission established |
| 1951 | Representation of the People Act |
| 1968 | Election Symbols Order |
| 1989 | EVM introduced experimentally |
| 2004 | Nationwide use of EVMs in Lok Sabha elections |
Previous-Year Exam-Oriented Facts
Election symbols are allotted by the Election Commission.
Symbols are governed by the Election Symbols Order, 1968.Symbols are important for illiterate voters.
National and State parties receive reserved symbols.
Independent candidates receive free symbols.
Symbol disputes are decided by the Election Commission.
One-Liners for Revision
Election Symbols Order came into force in 1968.
Election Commission derives power under Article 324.
Symbols help identify candidates.
Recognized parties get reserved symbols.
Independent candidates get free symbols.
Election Commission decides symbol disputes.
Election Commission may freeze symbols during party splits.
Reserved symbols cannot be used by other recognized parties.
Registered party ≠ Recognized party.
Registration of political parties is under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
MCQs (JKSSB Pattern)
1. Election symbols in India are governed primarily by:
A. Representation of the People Act, 1950
B. Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968
C. Constitution (52nd Amendment) Act
D. Conduct of Election Rules, 1961
Answer: B
2. Which Article empowers the Election Commission to supervise elections?
A. Article 324
B. Article 325
C. Article 326
D. Article 327
Answer: A
3. Election symbols are allotted by:
A. President of India
B. Parliament
C. Election Commission of India
D. Supreme Court
Answer: C
4. Reserved election symbols are allotted to:
A. Independent candidates
B. Registered unrecognized parties only
C. Recognized National and State Parties
D. Any contesting candidate
Answer: C
5. Independent candidates generally receive:
A. Reserved symbols
B. National symbols
C. Free symbols
D. Party symbols
Answer: C
6. Registration of political parties is under:
A. Section 29A, RPA 1951
B. Section 8, RPA 1951
C. Section 61, RPA 1950
D. Article 326
Answer: A
Statement-Based MCQs
7. Consider the following statements:
Election symbols are mentioned in the Constitution of India.
The Election Commission may freeze a party symbol during a dispute.
Free symbols are allotted to independent candidates.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: C
8. Consider the following statements:
Every registered political party is automatically a recognized political party.
Reserved symbols are exclusive to recognized political parties.
The Election Symbols Order was issued in 1968.
Choose the correct answer:
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: C
9. Which of the following statements is correct?
A. The Supreme Court allots election symbols.
B. Election symbols are allotted by the Election Commission under powers including Article 324 and the Election Symbols Order, 1968.
C. Parliament allots election symbols.
D. State Election Commissions allot symbols for Lok Sabha elections.
Answer: B
10. Which of the following is NOT correct?
A. Reserved symbols are exclusive to recognized political parties.
B. Independent candidates are allotted free symbols.
C. Every registered political party has a permanent reserved symbol.
D. The Election Commission decides symbol disputes.
Answer: C
JKSSB Quick Revision Box
Article: 324
Law: Representation of the People Act, 1951Registration: Section 29A
Symbol Order: 1968
Authority: Election Commission of India
Types of Symbols: Reserved & Free
Reserved: Recognized National/State Parties
Free: Registered Unrecognized Parties & Independent Candidates
Party Split: ECI can freeze and later allot the original symbol
Most Repeated PYQ Fact: Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968