Pig,Dog out of election symbol list for independent candidates

Colombo, August 8 (Daily Mirror) - The Election Commission has amended the list of symbols to be assigned to independent presidential candidates, leaving out ones that can cause embarrassment and offend religious sensitivities, an official said.

The symbols of the registered political parties are meant to be used by their candidates in canvassing votes. However, the symbols available in the list determined by the Commission and announced in the gazette notification are assigned to independent candidates based on their preferences .

A top official of the Commission told Daily Mirror that the symbols such as pig and dog had been removed from the list.

“These are symbols that can cause embarrassment to candidates. Also they can offend religious sensitivities of some communities,” he said .

The list has now been sent to be published in the gazette notification.

Independent candidates have freedom to select any symbol after nominations are tendered to contest the elections. If the same symbol is sought by more than one candidate, it will be assigned by lot .

The state emblem and the symbols that denote religious,cultural significances are not included in the list .