HC dismisses Swaraj India's plea for common symbol

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday dismissed a plea by the Yogendra Yadav-led Swaraj India party challenging the Delhi Election Commission's denial of a common symbol to its candidates for the upcoming civic polls.The Election Commission last week told the Delhi High Court it cannot allot a common symbol to an unrecognised party.

The poll panel was hearing a plea of the Swaraj India, which challenged the Delhi Election Commission's denial.

The Delhi Election Commission official told the High Court that it had no power to allot a common symbol to a registered but unrecognised party. For a common symbol, the party has to get six percent votes or have at least two legislators, the official said.

Swaraj India is set to contest the April 22 municipal polls in Delhi. Its lawyer has told the court that under the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) (Amendment) Order, the Election Commission allows newly registered political parties to have a common symbol for all candidates in the first election.

Swaraj India has blamed the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party government in Delhi for the rejection of the common symbol.

On March 22, Swaraj India told a division bench headed by Justice Badar Durrez Ahmed that if the party does not get a common symbol, then its candidate would be treated as independents. The court then decided to continue with hearing on March 23.Swaraj India is set to contest the April 22 municipal polls in Delhi.