
Withdraw free symbols, bring back ballot system: BRS urges EC
The party said there was persistent misuse of free symbols that closely resemble its reserved election symbol, the car. In particular, the party flagged eight free symbols — camera, chapati roller, dolli, road roller, soap dish, television, sewing machine, and ship — which, when displayed in small sizes on EVMs and ballot papers, are indistinguishable from the car symbol, especially for illiterate and elderly voters.
The BRS delegation, led by KTR, met the ECI officials in Delhi on Tuesday upon the Commission's invitation for an interaction. Rajya Sabha MPs KR Suresh Reddy, Vaddiraju Ravichandra, former MP B Vinod Kumar, and Balka Suman and RS Praveen Kumar were part of the delegation.
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BRS said that in several past elections, including the 2019 Bhongir Lok Sabha (LS) election, the confusion caused by these symbols led to an abnormal diversion of votes meant for the pink party, helping rival or independent candidates.
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The party also expressed disappointment over the lack of timely action on its earlier representations during the 2023 assembly and 2024 LS elections. These included abusive and derogatory statements by leaders of rival parties, disparities in the Commission's response to complaints filed by BRS versus those filed against it, and inaction on the model code of conduct violations, including misuse of social media, hate speech, and politicisation of govt events.
KTR also submitted a detailed representation to EC urging the constitutional body to address critical concerns affecting electoral integrity and a level-playing field. He highlighted four major issues: the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls underway in Bihar, the party's call for a return to paper ballots, the repeated misuse of identical free symbols that dilute the party's identity, and non-action on past representations regarding violations of the model code of conduct (MCC).
BRS has called for a withdrawal of the current SIR in Bihar and also expressed its concerns over the continued use of electronic voting machines (EVMs), citing growing public distrust and international precedents. "BRS would like to voice its serious concern about suspicions over the usage of electronic voting machines. Several media reports to this effect have surfaced over the last few years. Many political parties, activists, and voters have also expressed their concerns about the usage of EVMs," BRS mentioned in its letter.
It urged EC to consider reinstating paper ballots, starting with the upcoming Bihar assembly elections in Nov 2025, to restore public confidence in the democratic process.

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Indian Express
10 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Top-secret letters by telecom providers blew lid off ‘illegal surveillance' during BRS regime
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This letter, and similar reconciliation letters for the same number of days sent by well-known private and public service providers to the SIB office, form the foundation of Telangana's case against five top police and intelligence officers and a TV channel operator, who are accused of indulging in the illegal surveillance of 600 individuals — using the state's anti-Naxal surveillance mechanisms — to benefit the BRS, The Indian Express has learnt. Those allegedly snooped on included politicians, party workers, bureaucrats, businessmen, a sitting High Court judge, as well as their spouses, drivers and even childhood friends, according to a perusal of official documents and detailed conversations with investigators. A chargesheet in the case was filed on June 8, 2024. 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NDTV
2 hours ago
- NDTV
Poll Body Sends Reminder To Tejashwi Yadav Amid Dual EPIC Card Row
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Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
EC to opposition: Get 'wrongfully excluded' to file claims
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