Calcutta HC dismisses ISF's plea challenging EC's reassignment of 'envelope' poll symbol to another party
The Calcutta High Court dismissed a petition by the Indian Secular Front (ISF) challenging the Election Commission's decision to reassign their 'envelope' poll symbol to another party. The court upheld the EC's authority, noting that the ISF is a registered but not recognized party.
Why it matters
This ruling clarifies the administrative powers of the Election Commission regarding the allocation of symbols to smaller, non-recognized political parties.
The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday (September 30, 2026) dismissed a petition by the Indian Secular Front (ISF) challenging the Election Commission’s decision to reassign the 'envelope' poll symbol to the newly formed Democratic Trinamool Congress (DTC).
The ISF had moved the High Court claiming that the 'envelope' symbol, with which it contested the 2024 Lok Sabha and 2026 assembly elections, was reassigned to the DTC despite its objection.
Justice Krishna Rao pronounced in Court that the petition by the ISF is dismissed.
The EC had recently allotted the Nawsad Siddiqui-led ISF the 'almirah' symbol instead of the 'envelope' symbol.
Questioning whether it was a reasonable exercise of powers by the poll body, the ISF had prayed that the ‘envelope’ symbol be frozen by the EC.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in