Chennai, 22 January (H.S.) : The Election Commission of India, ECI, has officially allotted the Battery Torch as the common election symbol for the Makkal Needhi Maiam, MNM, led by actor-politician Kamal Haasan. This decision comes ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, providing the party with a consistent visual identity across all constituencies.

According to the official notification issued by the election authority, the symbol has been assigned under the provisions of the Election Symbols Reservation and Allotment Order, 1968. The Battery Torch has been the signature symbol for the MNM in previous electoral contests, and its re-allotment ensures that the party can maintain its established branding as it reaches out to the electorate for the upcoming provincial polls.

Authorities from the ECI confirmed that the allocation of the common symbol is intended to facilitate a uniform presence for the party's candidates on the electronic voting machines. The Makkal Needhi Maiam has been actively preparing its organizational structure for the high-stakes battle, and the formalization of the symbol is expected to streamline its grassroots campaigning efforts.

By securing the Battery Torch, the party aims to build upon its existing recognition among voters in both urban and rural segments of the state. With the symbols now finalized by the commission, the political landscape in Tamil Nadu is becoming increasingly clear as parties move toward candidate selection and alliance formations.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Dr. R. B. Chaudhary