Before the Nandigram and Rejinagar assembly by-elections, the election symbols of many major parties have changed. The old symbols of TMC, ISF and AJUP will not be visible on EVMs. In such a situation, the question is whether the new election symbols can create confusion among the voters and how much impact it will have on the electoral equation.
Tezzbuzz Desk- The political controversy over election symbols has intensified ahead of the Nandigram and Rejinagar assembly by-elections to be held on October 6 in West Bengal. After the interim order of the Election Commission, the old election symbol of Trinamool Congress 'Joda Phool and Grass' is banned. The Mamata Banerjee-led faction has now been allotted the election symbol of 'football player'.
At the same time, the rebel Trinamool group has been given the name 'Democratic Trinamool Congress' and 'Envelope' election symbol. Similarly, All India Secular Front i.e. ISF also had to give up its familiar 'envelope' symbol. Now the party will have to contest with the 'Almari' election symbol.
The election symbol for Aam Janata Unnayan Party i.e. AJUP has also changed in Rejinagar. In the 2026 assembly elections, Humayun Kabir had won on the 'CT' election symbol, but in the by-elections, his party has been given the 'Table' symbol.
These changes have sparked a new debate among political parties. Opposition leaders claim that changing the election symbol could create confusion among voters who identify a candidate or party with its old symbol. Its impact is under discussion especially in those areas where competition is likely to take place between several parties.
TMC leaders have raised questions on the process of the Election Commission regarding the change in election symbols. Party leader Kunal Ghosh has alleged that the timing and manner of changing the symbol could create problems for the opposition parties. However, these allegations are made by political parties and require separate independent confirmation to support them.
Humayun Kabir in Rejinagar has also expressed his objection regarding the removal of 'whistle' symbol. He says that this election symbol was linked to his political identity, because he had won the last assembly elections with this symbol. They claim that voters may have trouble identifying their candidate due to the new symbol.
ISF leader Nausad Siddiqui has also raised questions regarding the change in election symbol. He says that the removal of old and recognizable symbols can affect the behavior of voters and distribution of votes in elections.
Now in the by-elections of Nandigram and Rejinagar, it will be important to see how quickly the new election symbols reach the voters. TMC's 'Joda Phool-Ghas', ISF's 'Lifafa' and AJUP's 'Whistle' will no longer be visible on EVMs. In their place new election symbols like 'football player', 'cupboard' and 'table' will be visible. Voting on October 6 will reveal what real impact these changes have had on voter identity and the electoral equation.