Question : ELECTION OF CANTONMENT BOARDS

(a) the number of Cantonment Boards where elections are contested on political party symbols and those where elections are held without political party symbols;

(b) whether Cantonment Act, 1924 specifies elections on political party symbols and whether any directions were issued in 1973 to avoid allotment of symbols reserved for political parties in Cantonment Board elections;

(c) whether any elections were held even after the directions of 1973;

(d) whether the Government are considering issuing strict instructions to Cantonment Boards for holding elections without political party symbols; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF DEFENCE (SHRI GEORGE FERNANDES)


(a) In 12 Cantonment Boards, elections are contested on political party symbols while in the remaining except Badami Bagh where position is not verifiable due to records having been burnt during the last terrorist attack, elections are not contested on political party symbols.


(b) The Cantonment Act does not specify the elections on political party symbols. Directions were however issued in 1973 advising the Presidents, Cantonment Boards to brief the Returning Officers, not to allot, as far as possible, and in their discretion, party symbols to candidates contesting Cantonment Board elections.

(c) Yes, Sir.

(d) & (e): No, Sir, the existing instructions are considered sufficient.