Here is why this advocate wants the Congress’ hand symbol to be scrapped
New Delhi, Aug 27: In an interesting plea, the Election Commission has been moved seeking to scrap the hand symbol of the Indian National Congress. The ground raised by the complainant is that the hand symbol violates the model code of conduct.
In his complaint, advocate, Ashwini Upadhyay states that the model code of conduct imposed by the ECI before the election process commences and continues until completion provides that campaigning shall stop 48 hours prior to commencement of polling. It further restricts canvassing within 100 meters of polling station.
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However since the election symbol of the Congress is the 'Hand' its candidates, supporters and agents always carry it, when campaigning is stopped. He further said that inside polling booths, agents and supporters of the Congress misuse the election symbol by gesturing the palm of their hand and showing the preference for voting.
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Under
Rule
5
of
the
Conduct
of
Election
Rules
1961,
Election
Commission
specifies
the
election
symbols
for
national
political
parties,
state
parties
and
independent
candidates.
He
further
said
that
'Palm
of
Hand'
is
the
only
election
symbol,
which
is
part
of
human
body
and
"incapable
of
being
kept
away
from
the
body
at
any
point
of
time".
Hence
it
needs
to
be
scrapped,
he
also
added.