What is in news : ECI allots election symbols to parties for By poll elections in Bihar

Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order of 1968:

• Order to provide for specification, reservation, choice and allotment of symbols for the recognition of political parties.
• Applicable to both parliamentary and assembly elections.
• As per the order a symbol shall be allotted to a contesting candidate in accordance with the provisions of this Order and different symbols shall be allotted to different contesting candidates at an election in the same constituency.
• Classification of Symbols: There are two types of symbols i.e reserved and free.
• A reserved symbol is a symbol which is reserved for a recognised political party for exclusive allotment to contesting candidates set up by that party.
• A free symbol is a symbol other than a reserved symbol.
• Classification of Political Parties: These are either recognised political parties or unrecognised political parties.
• A recognised political party shall either be a National party or a State party, rest all are unrecognised parties.
• Choice of symbols by candidates of National and State Parties and allotment thereof:
• A national party candidate has to mandatorily use its party symbol.
• A state party candidate has to mandatorily use its party symbol.
• No other person is allowed to use a national or state party symbol or national party symbol irrespective of that party contesting or not.
• It also gives EC power to suspend or withdraw recognition of a recognised political party for its failure to observe Model Code of Conduct or follow lawful directions and instructions of the Commission.