Viewpoint | Symbol That Wins Hearts, Votes
In a diverse country like ours, symbols provide a universal visual language, making parties connect with voters beyond linguistic barriers. Besides, with several parties contesting, symbols ensure that voters quickly and easily distinguish between candidates and make their choice, thereby simplifying the voting process
With Election Commission of India allotting ‘whistle’ symbol to actor-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam for the upcoming Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, his fans and political followers are on cloud nine.
Symbols matter for political parties as they are vital visual brand identities for them. Symbols help illiterate voters recognize and identify parties and their candidates on ballot papers or EVMs easily. In a diverse country like ours, symbols provide a universal visual language, making parties connect with voters beyond linguistic barriers. Besides, with several parties contesting, symbols ensure that voters quickly and easily distinguish between candidates and make their choice, thereby simplifying the voting process.
Parties use symbols extensively in campaigns to connect with voters. Symbols are displayed prominently on posters, flags and campaign vehicles for immediate recognition and emotional connection with voters during campaigns. Partymen use symbols in several ways on social media: as cover photos, profile pictures and graphic elements in their posts.
Parties without reserved symbols choose from a list of ‘’free symbols" offered by EC. At the same time symbols reserved for big parties (like BJP’s Lotus, Congress' Hand, DMK’s Rising Sun and AIADMK’s Two leaves) offer stability.
When a political party splits into factions, the ECI freezes the symbol to prevent misuse like it happened with AIADMK’s Two Leaves and BSP’s Elephant symbols.
In the last couple of years, the use of symbols led to some interesting developments in TN politics. Anbumani Ramadoss was allotted the PMK's Mango symbol after the party split in 2024-2025 where he led the main faction, gaining control of the established symbol. Only candidates nominated by Anbumani Ramadoss will be allotted the Mango symbol by the ECI. Similarly, in 2023, ECI allotted Two Leaves symbol to EPS-led AIADMK recognising him as party's general secretary after his long feud with O. Panneerselvam.
With election nearing, symbols will continue playing a critical role in establishing a party’s brand identity and in reaching out to voters more easily.