Election Commission Freezes Confusing Symbols Amid Polls Controversy

The Nationalist Congress Party (SP) welcomed the Election Commission of India's decision to freeze the 'pippani' and 'turha' symbols, which were allegedly misused by the BJP to confuse voters during Lok Sabha elections. This decision is expected to prevent further voter confusion in upcoming polls.

The Nationalist Congress Party (SP) has expressed gratitude towards the Election Commission of India for its decision to freeze the 'pippani' (trumpet) and 'tutari' (turha) symbols. The party claimed that these symbols were used by the BJP to create confusion among voters during the Lok Sabha polls, leading to significant electoral losses for the Sharad Pawar-led party.

'We are thankful to the state Election Commission; truth has prevailed,' said Clyde Crasto, NCP (SP) national spokesperson. He cited the confusion caused by the trumpet symbol in the Satara constituency, where NCP candidate Shashikant Shinde lost due to voters mistakenly pressing the trumpet symbol, thinking it was the NCP (SP) symbol.

In Satara, Shinde was defeated by BJP's Udayanaraje Bhosale by 32,771 votes. Interestingly, an independent candidate using the 'pippani' symbol garnered 37,062 votes, more than the victory margin. Post-elections, the NCP (SP) urged the poll body to remove these similar-looking symbols.