Bat to auto: The absurd world of Karnataka election symbols

BENGALURU: They are a hangover from a time when most of the country was illiterate, but still are a vital part of elections, and in turn democracy. Come polling day on May 10, take a few seconds to glance through the party and candidate symbols on Electronic Voting Machines (EVM).
While the symbols of the three main parties — and perhaps a few others — are well entrenched, the variety lower down the machine is dazzling. They range from a mobile charger, cake and chappal, to a CCTV camera and even sports accessories like a bat, hockey stick and carrom board. Some are quirky and others fruity.
There are a total of 794 independent candidates in fray in these assembly electionsand the Election Commission of India gives them three options to choose from. For most it represents their ideology, their sporting inclination, or the possible impression it creates in voters’ minds.
Subhash S, a 26-year-old candidate from Rajarajeshwarinagar, has a chess board as his symbol. “Politics is a lot like chess,” said Subhash, a lawyer. “Every move must be made with caution and after a lot of thought. For me, the chess board symbolises everything that politics represents. That’s why I chose it.”
For Chidanand Krishna Chavan, from Kagwad constituency in Belagavi, the symbol — a cricket bat — reflects his passion. “I’m a huge cricket buff and a diehard fan of Sachin Tendulkar,” he said. “When I had to choose between a cylinder, autorickshaw and a batsman, it was ano-brainer.”
Astrology and numerology are also decisive factors. But some seek a relatability factor, a reason which made Ravi Shivappa, a software engineer contesting from Athani and Jamkhandi to pick a mobile charger.
“I wanted a symbol which people relate to in their daily life. One of the things that they can’t do without is a mobile charger and I’m sure it will attract people’s attention,” reasoned the 45-year-old.
Not everyone is lucky in getting a symbol of their choice though. Kadu Rupesh Gurunath from Belagavi Rural, a 31-year-old autorickshaw driver, said: “I badly wanted the autorickshaw symbol because it symbolises who I am. But by the time my turn came, the only symbol left was a mixer-grinder (mixie) so I got stuck with it.”