In countries where literacy rate is extremely low, election symbols play very important role. Illiterate people not only identify the candidates for whom they want to vote with the help of election symbols but the symbols also play with the emotions of the voters in general and become a source of attraction for them. In the first general elections held in Pakistan in December 1970, the symbol of ‘Sword’ was awarded to the Pakistan People’s Party which became very popular during the election campaign due to its significance in Muslim history and because it represented generally admired hawkish attitude towards India. In the same general elections, the Awami League got ‘Boat’ or ‘Canoe’ for which the Bengali people had emotional attraction.
In the general elections of March 1977, nine parties opposed to the Pakistan People’s Party formed an electoral alliance, Pakistan National Alliance, and applied for a single symbol. The Election Commission of Pakistan was prepared to deny them a single symbol but Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who was confident of his party’s popularity, let them have ‘Plough’ as election symbol. Perhaps, he realized his mistake too late. During General Zia-ul Haq’s rule, ‘Sword’ was removed from the list of election symbols out of fear of a resurgent Pakistan People’s Party, although he never held party-based general elections at local, provincial or national levels. Election symbols are also used to deceive or misguide the voters. We all know that the most formidable opponent of the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) in Punjab is Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf. The election symbol of Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf is ‘Cricket Bat’ but now the Election Commission has introduced another symbol ‘Batsman’ for forthcoming local bodies elections. Is this deliberate? Is this fair? Along with ‘Tiger’ why not introduce ‘Lion’, ‘Cheetah’, ‘Leopard’ or even ‘Cat’ as an election symbol?