SC notice to EC on symbol for MNS

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday sought a response from the Election Commission over a petition of Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, seeking an exclusive election symbol for the party to contest the coming assembly elections in the state.

A bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justice P Sathasivam issued notice to the commission. It posted the matter for further hearing on September 14 ahead of commencement of process for assembly elections in the state from September 18.

The court, initially, was not inclined to issue notice to the commission. ���You (petitioner MNS ) can tell your candidates to choose a particular symbol in their respective constituencies,��� the bench said.

Counsel for MNS K K Venugopal said the party was entitled to an exclusive symbol from among the list of free symbols as it was contesting 228 assembly seats. He pleaded that if the exclusive symbol was not allotted, it would confuse the voters most of whom are illiterate. Mr Venugopal further said that the party was not seeking any recognised symbol but only an exclusive symbol.

He recalled that during the recent general elections, unrecognised political parties like Praja Rajyam and DMDK were directed to be given exclusive symbols. K Chiranjeevi-led Prajam Rajyam was given the symbol of full sun with rays.
Under EC���s rule, only recognised political parties are entitled to recognised symbols whereas the others have to accept symbols allotted by the Election Commission at the constituency level.