NEWS – The Election Commission of India (ECI) brought in new rules for the allocation of symbols to registered unrecognised political parties (RUPPs)

WHAT IS NEW – Mandatory for parties to furnish audited accounts of the last three financial years, expenditure statements of the last two elections, and the signature of the authorized office-bearer of the party along with the application form for symbols

ALLOTING SYMBOLS

• In accordance with Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968
• Who has the power – Election Commission of India

Guidelines

• Symbols are chosen from EC’s free symbols list
• A party/candidate has to provide a list of three symbols
• Party/candidate on a first-come-first-serve basis
• When a recognised political party splits, the Election Commission decides on assigning the symbol by evaluating the support enjoyed by a claimant in both  organizational  and legislative wings. within the political party.