KATHMANDU: The Election Commission of Nepal (ECN) has provided election symbols to 21 political parties for the by-elections slated for December 30.

A meeting of the commission held on Wednesday decided to provide election symbols to the political parties registered at the commission.

The commission said the election symbols were provided in line to Article 271 of the constitution and Section 48 of Political Party Act.

The elections symbols were provided to the parties that were registered only after the elections of House of Representatives, State Assemblies and local units and undergone unification and name change after the elections.

The ruling Nepal Communist Party (CPN) has received sun as an election symbol. The symbol was used by the then CPN-UML before unification with UCPN (Maoist Center).

Likewise, Samajwadi Party has received palm with five fingers as an election symbol. The party was formed following unification between the then Federal Socialist Forum and Naya Shakti Party led by Dr. Baburam Bhattarai.

Similarly, Sajha Party of Rabindra Mishra has been given ‘taraju’ (weighing scale) as an elections symbol.