EC not for HC intervention in allotment of poll symbols

Vijayawada: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday told the high court that any intervention in allotment of symbols at this stage would vitiate the process of election as printing of ballots already started on Wednesday and collection of postal ballots from the voters above the age of 85 years and those opted for voting from home also started.

TDP politburo member Varla Ramaiah moved the HC contending that the prospects of NDA alliance candidates will be affected if ‘glass tumbler’ symbol is allotted to independents and candidates from unrecognised parties.

If the glass tumbler symbol is given to others, those who wanted to vote Jana Sena are likely to get confused and vote for those candidates who are not from Jana Sena. This will affect the prospects of the candidates of NDA alliance, argued senior counsel Dammalapati Srinivas.

Responding on behalf of the ECI, senior counsel Avinash Desai said the petition is not maintainable as the law does not recognise the concept of pre-poll alliance. Moreover, courts should not intervene in the election process after issuance of notification.

Intervening at this stage, Justice B Krishna Mohan asked Avinash Desai to submit details pertaining to allotment of symbols. Upon the request of Desai, the HC adjourned the hearing for a while.

When the matter was called out again, Desai submitted that electronic ballots have been sent to security forces and ballot printing also started on Wednesday evening. The collection of postal ballots from those who opted for voting from home also started. Any intervention at this stage with regard to symbols would affect whole election process, he said.

Srinivas said they are not intended to stall the election process in anyway but seeking to reconsider their request as their prospects are getting affected.

Justice Krishna Mohan posted the matter for further hearing on Monday.

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