BADIN: The candidates in the run for local government election as independents have complained against having been allotted ‘unsavoury, unpalatable and distasteful’ election symbols.

A number of candidates including Muhammad Aslam, Muhammad Hashim and Hassan told Dawn on Wednesday that 24 symbols so far allotted to independent candidates included baby cot, bangles, goat, watermelon, wood roller, saxophone, drums, toothbrush, tongs, hanger, screw, radio cassette, pressure cooker, stapler, electric heater, bottle, corn, dressing table, duck, oil stove, suitcase, guitar, hen and gramophone.

Such symbols would turn their campaign into a laughing stock and it would become a slur on their reputation whether they won or lost, they said.

They said the symbol was the first introduction of a candidate and if it was in bad taste it could create a bad impression in voters’ minds and reflect on voting trends.

They said that except a few out of 24 symbols on offer none was acceptable.

Meanwhile, the district election officer said that independent candidates who wanted to make a non-registered group could get the same symbol for the same ward or union council and their respective constituencies.

He said the returning officer had discretionary powers to allot one and the same symbol to various independent candidates of one group subject to availability after allotment of other symbols to other independent candidates.

The candidates supported by disgruntled PPP leader Dr Zulfikar Ali Mirza, who have reportedly been allotted bottle as the election symbol, said they would try to obtain the same symbol for other constituencies as well.

Published in Dawn, October 15th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play