Video explainer: Here's how ECP allots electoral symbols and why are they important

Electoral symbols, the pictorial identifiers, are allotted by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to the political parties or independent candidates contesting polls. 

Major political parties including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (bat), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (lion) and Pakistan Peoples Party (arrow) have symbols that have been allotted to them for a very long time. 

The symbols appear on ballot papers, with voters able to put a stamp on their symbol of choice. The ballot paper also has names, but over 40% of Pakistan's 241 million population are illiterate, making the pictures extra important for recognition.

Pakistan's election process involves thousands of candidates and dozens of political parties and symbols. A single ballot paper has a long list of options for voters.

But how does the ECP allot electoral symbols? 

Every registered political party can apply for an electoral symbol by submitting an application to the Election Commission as per Section 216 of the Election Act 2017. 

However, a political party which is seeking a symbol should have the right to claim the allocation of the same symbol as allocated to it in any previous election.

In case a symbol was allotted to an alliance of different political parties in any previous polls and two or more political parties apply for the same symbol in the new polls then the allocation of that chosen symbol to any one political party is decided by drawing lots. 

Moreover, independent candidates can also apply for allotment of election symbols from the list published by the electoral body which are not already assigned to a different political party.

If two independent candidates apply for the same symbol, then the priority would be given to the candidate who has previously contested elections.

But if both independent candidates applying for the same symbol are fresh, the symbol is decided by drawing lots.