New Delhi, 22 January (H.S.): The Election Commission of India allotted the 'Whistle' symbol to actor Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and the 'Battery Torch' symbol to actor Kamal Haasan's Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) on Thursday ahead of the upcoming Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections.

The EC notified the State Election Officer and party presidents via letters, invoking provisions under the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968. This assignment remains valid exclusively until the conclusion of the forthcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly general elections, after which no permanent claims to these symbols will hold.

Both parties fulfilled mandatory conditions under Paragraph 10B, including fielding minimum required candidates across constituencies. Only upon verification of compliance did the Commission approve these common election symbols from the approved list.

The EC directed that neither the 'Whistle' nor 'Battery Torch' symbols be allotted to any other political party or independent candidate, instructing Returning Officers to exercise special vigilance in this regard.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar