New Delhi: The Election Commission on Saturday froze Shiv Sena's bow and arrow symbol considering the problems between the two factions led by Eknath Shinde and Uddhav Thackeray.
"The Commission hereby makes the following Interim Order, to cover the purpose of the current by-elections and to continue till the final determination of the dispute into the matter," said the poll panel. Neither faction is now permitted to use the name Shiv Sena and the symbol of bow & arrow.
The election body further said both groups can choose names and link them with their party, Shiv Sena. Both groups will be allotted different symbols and may choose from the list of free symbols notified by the Commission.
Both groups have been asked to furnish the names and symbols by 1 pm on October 10. "They may indicate the names of three free symbols, in the order of their preference, any of which may be allotted to their candidates by the Commission," said the Election Commission. It is evident that the time available is not adequate to ensure the due process which is required to be completed for the proceedings.
The order issued by EC noted that it has taken note of the urgency involved due to the schedule of the by-election announced.