The Election Commission has announced its decision to accept applications from registered unrecognised parties in Jammu & Kashmir for the allotment of ‘common symbols,’ indicating the imminent assembly polls in the Union Territory.
According to an official, under Para 10 B of the Election Symbols (Reservation & Allotment) Order, 1968, registered unrecognised political parties can apply for a ‘common symbol’ six months prior to the end of the term of a House. Since no assembly is functional in Jammu & Kashmir, the Election Commission has invited applications for symbols through a press statement.
While recognised national and state parties have their ‘reserved symbols,’ registered unrecognised parties must apply for one to field candidates. Any remaining unclaimed symbols are allocated to Independents by the returning officer.
“The Commission has decided to accept applications seeking allotment of common symbols under Para 10B of the Election Symbols (Reservation & Allotment) Order, 1968, for the General Election to the Legislative Assembly of Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir with immediate effect,” read the EC statement.
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, enthused by the voter participation in Jammu & Kashmir during the recent Lok Sabha polls, indicated that the poll panel would soon initiate the process of holding assembly polls in the Union Territory. While announcing the Lok Sabha election schedule in March, Rajiv Kumar had stated that holding assembly and parliamentary elections simultaneously was not practical due to logistical and security reasons.
Whenever assembly elections are conducted in Jammu & Kashmir, they will mark the first since the August 2019 abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of the region into two Union Territories. Following a delimitation exercise, the number of assembly seats has increased from 83 to 90, excluding those allocated to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
In December, the Supreme Court directed the Election Commission to hold assembly elections in Jammu & Kashmir by September 30.
