The Delhi High Court on Thursday directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to allot a common election symbol to the Akhil Bharatiya Jan Sangh (ABJS) for the upcoming Bihar State Assembly elections.
The directive came after the ECI had previously rejected the ABJS’s request for a common symbol, citing internal disputes within the party, which has been registered since 1989.
Justice Mini Pushkarna issued the order, instructing the ECI to assign a common symbol to the ABJS while also directing the party to file a formal application for the symbol’s allotment. The court’s decision followed a response from the ECI regarding the matter.
The ABJS had approached the Delhi High Court challenging the ECI’s September 1, order, which rejected the party’s representation. The petition argued that the ECI failed to consider the ABJS’s application dated August 25, for a common election symbol to contest the Bihar Assembly elections scheduled for 2025.
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The ABJS had responded to an ECI communication dated July 17, addressing the deficiencies pointed out by the poll body. On August 25, the party resubmitted its application for a common election symbol, adhering to the format prescribed in paragraph 10B of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968, and included all requisite documents.
Previously, the ABJS had written to the ECI on June 2 and July 4, requesting a common election symbol to participate in the Bihar elections but received no response. The party then filed a petition in the Delhi High Court, which was disposed of on August 25, with the court directing the ECI to expeditiously decide on the ABJS’s representation.
The fresh petition challenged the ECI’s September 1 communication, reiterating that the poll body had not adequately considered the party’s application for a common symbol.
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