The hope of the Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal (RJP-N) to get a new election symbol they have demanded has nearly ended as the Election Commission has ruled out the possibility.

As a result of this, the RJP-N, a coalition of six Madhes-based political parties—has to pick an election symbol used by one of the parties in previous elections. The party, which three days ago applied to the EC for registration, has demanded that it should be given umbrella as an election symbol.

According to a provision of the constitution, only those political parties, which have been registered with the EC before the deadline set by the EC following the announcement of the date for the elections at the local level, would get a new election symbol.

EC's Spokesperson Surya Prasad Sharma said it would be impossible for a new registered political party to get a new election symbol as the set deadline for the same has already expired. The EC has said it has been studying the documents made available by the RJP-N for registration. RSS