Electoral symbol

An electoral symbol is a standardised symbol allocated to a political party. Symbols are used by parties in their campaigning, and printed on ballot papers where a voter must make a mark to vote for the associated party. Their purpose is to facilitate voting by illiterate people, who cannot read parties' names on ballot papers.[1] Examples include an elephant's head and three lotus flowers (Cambodian Democratic Party) and a hand pump (Indian Rashtriya Lok Dal). In Brazil parties are allocated two-digit numbers, easily recognised by the illiterate, instead.

See also

References

  1. With Pakistan Vote Looming, Ballot Symbols Prove A Tricky Topic Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty, 29 November 2012