Panchayat elections in over 580 villages in Pune district are to be held this week. Many of the candidates are facing unexpected problems due to the unfamiliar and sometimes hilarious election symbols allotted to them.
“One of the candidates in our village is a wrestler and the symbol he’s got is that of a baby’s frock. He finds it really difficult to promote something so contradictory to his image and personality,” says Sachin Kamthe, who is also contesting.
"One of the leaders has been appealing to the masses to use a pair of scissors to cut his opponent to size as the opponent’s symbol is a pair of scissors." says Ashok Bajare of Peth.
Candidates complain that some symbols - such as cake, battery, bread and piano - don’t connect with the villagers.
The Election Commission has declined to change the symbols.
Uncertainty
4 months ago
