CALCUTTA HIGH COURT QUESTIONS EC OVER ISF SYMBOL REASSIGNMENT

September 28, 2026

The Calcutta High Court has questioned the Election Commission of India (ECI) over its decision to allot the “Envelope” election symbol, previously used by the Indian Secular Front (ISF), to the newly formed Democratic Trinamool Congress for the upcoming Nandigram bypoll.

Justice Krishna Rao questioned why the Commission had not considered the ISF’s application for the symbol before assigning it to another party. The court also sought clarification on the legal provision under which the allotment was made and whether the Commission had provided adequate reasons for its decision.

The ISF has challenged the reassignment, arguing that it had contested recent elections using the “Envelope” symbol and that the change could create confusion during the bypoll. The Election Commission, however, has maintained that the symbol was a free symbol after the conclusion of the Assembly election and that no political party has an absolute right over it.

During the proceedings, the court also questioned whether the Commission’s decision-making process had been sufficiently transparent and fair. The ECI denied allegations of being influenced by another party and defended its authority to allot free symbols under the applicable rules.

After hearing the parties, the High Court reserved its order. The Nandigram bypoll is scheduled for October 6, with counting due on October 9.