SEC fiat against party symbol raises BJP hackles

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BHUBANESWAR: The BJP on Saturday took strong exception to the decision of the State Election Commission against use party symbol by candidates contesting for the posts of ward member, sarpanch and panchayat samiti member. The SEC is working in a partisan manner, charged the saffron party. In the last three panchayat elections, there was no bar on candidates, contesting for the three posts, to use party symbol during campaigning even though they were not allotted the party symbol officially. Their fate was decided on the basis of the symbol allotted to them by the SEC, BJP spokesperson Jeeban Sahu told mediapersons here.Smelling a rat, the BJP spokesperson said restriction on use of party symbol during campaigning by candidates other than those fighting for zilla parishad was done under pressure from the ruling BJD which is facing the problem of rebel candidates.‘’It has been observed in the  past that some candidates, who were never allotted party symbols, indulged in writing ‘sponsored candidates of ... party’,’’ the SEC said. This contradicts provisions of law, a January 19 directive from the SEC to the district collectors said.  Prohibiting the use of party name or party symbol in any form, the SEC said any such action by any candidate should be deemed as violation of code of conduct and necessary action initiated as per the law.