Election Commission has allowed political parties with same election symbols, but with conditions, in the Bihar assembly elections.
Having the same election symbol can be a headache for political parties, but the Election Commission has simplified the process for Samajwadi Party (SP) and Panthers Party, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and Shiv Sena, who have common election symbols, for the Bihar assembly elections.
SP and Jammu and Kashmir Panthers Party have bicycle as their election symbol in UP and Jammu and Kashmir respectively, while the JMM and Shiv Sena have bow and arrow as their election symbol in Jharkhand and Maharashtra respectively.
The parties can contest on their election symbols as long as they are not pitted against each other in an assembly seat. If they are fighting against each other, then they will not be able to use their party symbols, and will be allotted 'free symbol' in those constituencies.
In other words, if JMM pits a candidate against a Shiv Sena nominee on a particular seat, the two parties cannot use their 'Bow and Arrow' symbol.
"The candidates of these parties in such constituencies shall be alloted 'free symbol' from the list of free symbols as per provisions of Para 12 of the Symbols Order, 1968," said a separate order from the Commission issued to these parties last week.
While the JMM and Shiv Sena had approached the Commission to use their reserved symbol in all the 243 assembly seats in Bihar, the SP and Panthers Party had sought permission to use their respective symbols for all the 32 assembly seats going to polls in the second phase.
As of now, BJP, Bahujan Samaj Party, Congress, CPI, CPI (M) and Nationalist Congress Party, are recognised as 'national parties'. There are 50 'recognised state parties' registered with the Commission.
While national parties are free to use their 'reserved symbol' across India, the recognised state parties can use their symbols in their states. To use the symbol outside their state, they have to seek EC's permission.
Bihar Assembly polls will be held in five phases on October 12, 16, 28, November 1 and 5. Counting of votes will take place on November 8.