The Election Commission (EC) has finalized 120 symbols for the National Parliamentary Elections by amending the ‘Conduct of Election Rules, 2008’, keeping the widely used ‘Boat’ symbol suspended, while also introducing a provision to include a ‘NO’ symbol on the ballot in cases of a single candidate.
The Election Commission Secretariat published a gazette notification in this regard on Wednesday (16 September) by virtue of the powers conferred under Article 94 of the President’s Representation of the People Order (RPO), 1972. A new provision has replaced Sub-rule (1) of Rule 9 of the amended rules, stating that—subject to other conditions of the relevant rule—the Returning Officer shall allocate symbols to contesting candidates from the prescribed list based on availability, excluding the suspended symbol.
Among the 120 symbols finalized in the EC’s amended list are Pineapple, Apple, Mango, Almirah, Eagle, Camel, Bullock Cart, Cow, Gamcha, Rose Flower, Bell, Kite, Truck, Tractor, Green Coconut, Dressing Table, Dheki, Star, Flower Garland, Book, Heron, Banyan Tree, Bicycle, Tiger, Rocket, Rickshaw, Railway Engine, Plough, Litchi, Water Lily Bud, Rising Sun, Ektara, Pigeon, Computer, Pen, Pitcher, Banana Cluster, Scissors, Jackfruit, Cup-and-Saucer, Sickle, Hut, Axe, Crocodile, Kula (Winnowing Fan), Kettle, Spade, Date Palm, Horse, Spectacles, Wheel, Key, Shrimp, Comb, Chair, Walking Stick, Umbrella, Jug, Ship, Torchlight, Tubewell, Table, Table Clock, Table Lamp, Telephone, Television, Lock, Plate, Balance (Scales), Building, Wall Clock, Double-Decker Bus, Inkpot and Pen, Cradle, Sheaf of Paddy, Anchor, Turban, Water Tap, Palanquin, Butterfly, Flower Basket, Football, Cauliflower, Bucket, Baby Taxi, Electric Fan, Electric Bulb, Ladder, Mug, Peacock, Torch, Megaphone, Fish, Mathal (Straw Hat), Minaret, Motor Car, Motorcycle, Mora (Cane Stool), Mobile Phone, Candle, Rooster, Lion, Stairs, Sunflower, Sewing Machine, Golden Fiber (Jute), Sofa, Deer, Duck, Hand (Palm), Wristwatch, Hand Fan, Elephant, Hammer, Hurricane Lamp, Hookah, Helicopter, Handshake, and the newly added ‘NO’ symbol; however, the long-standing political symbol ‘Boat’ has currently been kept on the suspended list.
Regarding election financial transactions and expenditure management, the gazette mentions that in Part III of Form-1 under Schedule-1, the scope has been expanded to allow using the bank account number of the candidate’s appointed election agent alongside the candidate’s designated bank account for election expenses.
Amending the affidavit rules, the notification states that the obligation to submit income tax information for the candidate’s spouse, children, and other dependents has been relaxed to be treated as ‘optional’. Additionally, to avoid legal complexity regarding criminal cases, the term ‘accused’ shall refer only to a defendant against whom formal charges have been framed by a court.
