Hyderabad: The Election Commission of India has released the final list of 58 candidates contesting the Jubilee Hills Assembly by-election on November 11. Each registered party and independent candidate has received an election symbol, with several allocations drawing objections.
Symbol placements prompt confusion ahead of polling
Ambedkar National Party candidate Cheppuri Raju will contest with the Road Roller symbol. Alliance of Democratic Reforms Party nominee Amboju Budhaiah has received the Chapati Roller. The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) had earlier objected to these symbols. Party leaders argued they closely resemble the Car symbol, which represents BRS. However, the Election Commission rejected the request for their removal. To reduce confusion, it also decided to print candidate photos on the EVM ballot unit.
According to the ballot layout, BJP candidate Lankala Deepak Reddy (Lotus) appears first. Congress candidate Naveen Yadav (Hand) is listed second, while BRS nominee Maganti Sunitha Gopinath (Car) occupies the third slot. The Soap Dish symbol appears at position five. Chapati Roller and Road Roller appear at positions nine and thirteen, respectively. Other symbols include the Camera (slot 21), Ship (slot 28), and TV (slot 54).
Record number of candidates adds to election complexity
Normally, a single EVM unit displays up to 16 names, symbols, and photos, including NOTA. In this by-election, the BRS symbol will appear on the same EVM panel as other confusing symbols. This overlap could potentially affect voter clarity on polling day.
Returning Officer Sai Ram announced that 211 candidates had filed nominations. After scrutiny, 81 were found valid. Eventually, 23 candidates withdrew, bringing the final count to 58. This is the highest number of candidates ever in a Jubilee Hills election. For comparison, 13 candidates ran in 2009, 21 in 2014, 18 in 2018, and 19 in 2023. In the last election, BRS candidate Maganti Gopinath won the seat.
As parties prepare for a crowded contest, the mix of similar-looking symbols and logistical challenges may play a significant role in the final outcome.