CHENNAI: Ending weeks of uncertainty over its poll identity, the Election Commission of India on Thursday allotted the ‘Whistle’ as the common election symbol to the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) for the forthcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, providing the fledgling party a uniform electoral marker across all constituencies in the State.
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The decision, communicated to the Chief Electoral Officer of Tamil Nadu, clears the air over speculation that the Commission might deny the party a common symbol and instead require it to contest with different free symbols in different constituencies. With the allotment now formalised, TVK candidates will contest under the ‘Whistle’ symbol in all 234 Assembly segments, subject to compliance with the provisions of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968.
In the same communication, the Commission allotted the ‘Battery Torch’ symbol to Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, granting the party a common symbol across the State.
According to the Commission, the concession has been extended under Paragraph 10B of the Symbols Order, which allows registered but unrecognised political parties a common symbol for a specific election, provided they meet the prescribed conditions, including the minimum number of candidates to be fielded. The allotment, the ECI clarified, is valid only for the forthcoming Assembly elections and will lapse after the completion of the poll process.
Election officials said returning officers have been directed to allot the approved common symbols to candidates set up by the respective parties, subject to timely submission of Forms A and B and adherence to all statutory requirements. “The common symbol will not be available to the party’s candidates if the minimum eligibility conditions are not met,” the Commission noted.
A senior TVK leader said the move would help avoid voter confusion and ensure clarity on the ballot. “The allotment of a common symbol provides uniformity and recognisability for parties contesting across the State,” the functionary said.