BSP may lose its election symbol ‘Elephant’

New Delhi: Delhi High Court, on Friday, has requested the Election Commission of India to come strict on the political outfits who misuse funds for unwanted display of their poll symbols in public.

Court was hearing the plea seeking the cancellation of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) symbol ‘Elephant’ for flaunting it in public places across the state.

Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw said, “I am remanding the matter back to the Election Commission of India.”

What was in the plea?

• Plea was moved in the court by an NGO named Common Cause
• NGO moved High Court after the Election Commission rejected its plea
• It was mentioned in the plea that Mayawati used her party’s election symbol ‘Elephant’ in form of statues in various parks
• NGO had sought court directions to EC to cancel BSP’s poll symbol ‘Elephant’ and issue it another one

What court said?

• Court said that it cannot pronounce its ruling in the plea
• Delhi HC forwarded the issue to EC
• Court requested EC to freeze the election symbol of parties misusing it
• High Court asked EC to issue new guidelines and send a notice to BSP