Can a political party have the cockroach as its election symbol? What EC rules say

📌 Summary:

• The satirical "Cockroach Janta Party" (a youth pressure group, not yet a registered party) sparked debate on whether the EC could allot a cockroach as an election symbol
• The EC allots symbols under the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968
• Recognised national/state parties get reserved symbols (e.g., lotus-BJP, hand-Congress); unrecognised registered parties and independents pick from a list of "free symbols" but are not assured their choice
• The latest free-symbols list (published 23 May 2025) has 184 symbols including air-conditioner, balloon, jackfruit, frying pan, dustbin, TV remote; animal-welfare representations have led the EC to keep certain creatures off the list

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS2 — Representation of the People Act framework, Election Commission's powers and the symbols regime

📝 Prelims Facts:

• Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968 governs symbol allotment
• Latest free-symbols list (23 May 2025): 184 symbols
• Symbols are of two kinds: reserved (for recognised parties) and free

🔑 Key Term: Free symbols — a periodically revised EC list from which unrecognised parties and independent candidates may request symbols, without guarantee of allotment