How are symbols allotted to political parties?

Allotment of election symbols to political parties

• The Election Commission of India (ECI) is responsible for the allotment of symbols as per the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968.

• Election symbol is a standardized symbol allocated to a political party..

• They were introduced to facilitate voting by illiterate people, who can’t read the name of the party while casting their votes.

• Every national party and every state party is allotted a symbol exclusively reserved for its use throughout the country and the states respectively.

• The Election Commission has the power to decide disputes among political parties staking claim to its name and symbol.