The Election Commission (EC) has barred Nitish Kumar-led Janata Dal (United) from using its poll symbol ‘arrow’ in the upcoming polls in Jharkhand and Maharashtra due to its resemblance with the bow and arrow symbol of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and Shiv Sena.
The JD(U) said it will approach the EC and the Jharkhand High Court seeking a review of the order and may even approach the court if the Commission denied it relief.
The EC’s order came after the JMM moved an application on June 24, requesting it not to allow ‘arrow’ symbol to JD(U) in Jharkhand as it may confuse the voters. Just ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the JD(U) had secured an order from the EC barring the JMM from contesting in Bihar on its symbol ‘Bow and Arrow’ since it was very similar to JD(U)’s symbol, the ‘Arrow’.
According to a senior EC official, the order is in keeping with provisions of the Election Symbols Order of 1968 as applicable to all such state parties in similar situations. The official explained that while the JD(U)’s symbol is accepted on priority in Bihar, similarly in Jharkhand, it is the JMM’s symbol that gets priority.
The JD(U) is a recognised State party in Bihar and Arunachal Pradesh, where its symbol, the ‘Arrow’, is reserved, the JMM is a recognised State party in Jharkhand, and its symbol ‘Bow and Arrow’ is reserved in that State. Shiv Sena too has the symbol of ‘Bow and Arrow’, which is its reserved symbol in Maharashtra, where it is a recognised State party.