The correct answer is option 'D': The Election Commission.

The Election Commission of India is responsible for conducting free and fair elections in the country. It plays a crucial role in ensuring that the electoral process is democratic and transparent. One of the important tasks of the Election Commission is to allot symbols to political parties.

Symbols play a significant role in election campaigns as they help voters identify and connect with different political parties. Symbols act as a visual representation of a party's ideology, values, and goals. They are often used on campaign materials, such as posters, banners, and advertisements, to create a distinct identity for a party.

The process of allotting symbols to political parties is done by the Election Commission to ensure fairness and prevent any confusion or bias. The Election Commission follows certain guidelines and criteria while allotting symbols. Some of these guidelines include:

1. Avoiding confusion: The Election Commission ensures that the symbols allotted to different parties are not similar or identical. This is to prevent confusion among voters and minimize the chances of mistaken identity.

2. Reserving symbols: The Election Commission reserves certain symbols exclusively for national and state-level parties. This is to give recognition and prominence to major political parties and differentiate them from smaller parties or independent candidates.

3. Neutral symbols: The Election Commission also allots some symbols which are considered neutral and do not have any specific political or religious connotations. These symbols can be used by independent candidates or parties that do not have a reserved symbol.

4. Representation: The Election Commission strives to ensure that the symbols allotted to parties are representative of their ideology or name. For example, a party with a focus on environmental issues may be allotted a symbol related to nature or conservation.

Overall, the Election Commission's role in allotting symbols to political parties is essential for maintaining fairness, transparency, and clarity in the electoral process. It helps voters identify and differentiate between various parties, enabling them to make informed choices during elections.