Kolkata, September 24. The Calcutta High Court on Thursday questioned the Election Commission’s functioning over the allocation of the ‘Envelope’ election symbol for the Nandigram Assembly bypoll. During the hearing on the allocation of the symbol to the newly formed Democratic Trinamool Congress, the court orally stressed the need for the Election Commission to act fairly.

The matter came up after the Election Commission allotted the ‘Envelope’ symbol to the Democratic Trinamool Congress for the upcoming bypolls. The Indian Secular Front (ISF), which is also contesting the Nandigram bypoll, had raised an objection to the allocation. The symbol had previously been used by the ISF.

During the hearing, the court questioned why the Election Commission had chosen the ‘Envelope’ symbol when, according to the material before it, 183 free election symbols were available. The court raised the question in the context of the fact that the ISF is also contesting the election. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

The court also orally observed that the situation could have been avoided by keeping the concerned symbol aside. The observations were made during the hearing of the ISF petition challenging the Election Commission’s decision.

The hearing also involved discussion over the procedure and rules governing the allocation of election symbols. The court’s comments at this stage are oral observations, while the final position will depend on further proceedings and any subsequent order.

The dispute over the election symbol has now become part of the judicial proceedings concerning the Nandigram bypoll. The Election Commission is expected to place its explanation regarding the allocation and the applicable rules before the court in the continuing proceedings.