Poll panel opposes Swaraj India’s plea

  • | Tuesday | 21st March, 2017

The poll panel said that the party’s plea was not maintainable as there are many registered but unrecognised parties that have not been given a common poll symbol. Fair play: Swaraj India has contended that providing it a common poll symbol will create a level playing field and ensure fair elections. “Why should preference be given to Swaraj India?” the panel asked. Swaraj India, represented by advocate Prashant Bhushan, however said it has challenged the notification. Swaraj India was floated in October last year by Mr. Yadav and Mr. Bhushan, who were expelled from Aam Aadmi Party after they questioned Arvind Kejriwal’s leadership.

Fair play: Swaraj India has contended that providing it a common poll symbol will create a level playing field and ensure fair elections. | Photo Credit: V. Sudershan more-in Yogendra Yadav-led Swaraj India’s plea for a common symbol to contest the upcoming civic body polls was on Monday opposed in the High Court by the Delhi State Election Commission (DSEC). The poll panel said that the party’s plea was not maintainable as there are many registered but unrecognised parties that have not been given a common poll symbol. “Why should preference be given to Swaraj India?” the panel asked. The DSEC’s submission was made before Justice Hima Kohli, who listed the matter for hearing on Tuesday. ‘Power is with Centre’ The DSEC added that it was only implementing the directions of the Centre, which has the power to change the rules. The panel said the powers to change the rules have been delegated to the Lieutenant-Governor and not to it. The commission contended that Swaraj India has not challenged their March 14 notification, which bars the granting of a common symbol to the candidates of unrecognised but registered parties. Swaraj India, represented by advocate Prashant Bhushan, however said it has challenged the notification. In its plea, Swaraj India also sought quashing of the DSEC’s April 2016 notification, which said that the nominees of such parties would be treated as independent candidates for allotment of symbols. Swaraj India was floated in October last year by Mr. Yadav and Mr. Bhushan, who were expelled from Aam Aadmi Party after they questioned Arvind Kejriwal’s leadership. The party, registered by the Election Commission of India in February 2017, has contended that the March 14 order was “wholly illegal and arbitrary... and destroyed fairness of the electoral process”. Swaraj India has contended in its plea that providing it a common symbol will create a level playing field between all the parties, whether recognised or not, and ensure free and fair elections.

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