2 hrs ago
Calcutta High Court Seeks ECI Report Over Envelope Symbol
The Election Commission gave an envelope symbol to a faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee.
The All India Secular Front said it had previously used that symbol.
Its representative, Nawsad Siddique, won elections with the envelope symbol.
The party therefore asked the Calcutta High Court to review the decision.
The court has asked the Election Commission to explain its decision in a report.
The faction also received the name Democratic Trinamool Congress.
The All India Secular Front was given an almirah symbol instead.
The court will hear the matter again on Thursday.
Two related bypolls are scheduled for October 6.
The Calcutta High Court sought an Election Commission of India report on the allotment of the “envelope” symbol.
The symbol was allotted to the rebel-majority faction of the Trinamool Congress led by expelled legislator Ritabrata Banerjee.
The All India Secular Front challenged the decision, saying Nawsad Siddique had twice won using the envelope symbol.
The Ritabrata-led faction also received the name “Democratic Trinamool Congress,” while the All India Secular Front received “Almirah.”
Bypolls in Nandigram and Rejinagar are scheduled for October 6, with results due October 9.
- Who
- The All India Secular Front, Nawsad Siddique, Ritabrata Banerjee’s faction, and the Election Commission of India are involved.
- What
- The Calcutta High Court sought a report on the Election Commission’s allotment of the “envelope” election symbol.
- Where
- The proceedings are before the Calcutta High Court in West Bengal; the bypolls concern Nandigram and Rejinagar.
- When
- The court sought the report on Wednesday; the matter will be heard again on Thursday. The related bypolls are scheduled for October 6, with results on October 9.
- Why
- The All India Secular Front challenged the allotment because Nawsad Siddique had contested and won twice using the envelope symbol.
All India Secular Front’s Challenge
Election Commission’s Allocation
Use of the envelope symbol
All India Secular Front’s Challenge
The All India Secular Front objected because Nawsad Siddique had contested and won from Bhangar using the envelope symbol in 2021 and, according to the article, again in 2026.
Election Commission’s Allocation
The Election Commission allotted the envelope symbol to the Ritabrata-led faction; the articles do not state the Commission’s reasoning.
Alternative symbol for AISF
All India Secular Front’s Challenge
The All India Secular Front opposed receiving the “Almirah” symbol and asked the court to examine the Commission’s decision.
Election Commission’s Allocation
The Election Commission assigned the “Almirah” symbol to the All India Secular Front while assigning “Envelope” to the Ritabrata-led faction.
Key facts
- Court
- Calcutta High Court, before Justice Krishna Rao
- Symbol in dispute
- “Envelope”
- Faction receiving symbol
- The rebel-majority Trinamool Congress faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee
- AISF’s allotted symbol
- “Almirah”
- Faction’s allotted name
- “Democratic Trinamool Congress”
- Related bypoll date
- October 6
- Result date
- October 9
Sources
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