Srinagar: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has officially started the process for holding Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).
In a notification issued by ECI on June 7, the commission has invited applications from registered unrecognised parties in the Union Territory for allotment of common symbols.
Under Para 10B of the Election Symbols (Reservation & Allotment) Order, 1968, any registered unrecognised political party can apply for a common symbol six months prior to the end of the term of a House.
While recognised national and state parties have their reserved symbols, while registered unrecognised parties need to apply for one to field candidates.
The upcoming elections will be the first since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019 and the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories.
Political observers see this development indicating that statehood restoration is unlikely before the elections as the notification specifically mentions “Union Territory” for the application process.
