The Election Commission of India (ECI) directed Returning Officers (ROs) to freeze the ‘glass tumbler’ symbol in Assembly segments under Lok Sabha (LS) constituencies where Jana Sena Party (JSP) candidates are contesting. This ensures the symbol is not allotted to independent candidates or Registered Unrecognized Political Parties (RUPP).
The decision followed a submission by the ECI’s counsel to the Andhra Pradesh High Court on April 30 during a petition by JSP. The ROs will follow the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, the Symbols Order, 1968, and Article 324 of the Constitution for symbol allocation revisions.
JSP’s petition highlighted confusion caused by the ‘glass tumbler’ symbol being allotted to RUPP and independent candidates where JSP didn’t contest. Despite reserving the symbol for JSP, certain candidates sought it as a free symbol, leading to voter confusion.
