Context: Recently, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has decided to freeze the election symbol of a Lok Janshakti Party due to an ongoing dispute.

• The Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968 empowers the Election Commission to recognise political parties and allot symbols.

Issue

• The two factions of the party won’t be able to use the symbol in the elections for the Kusheshwar Asthan and Tarapur seats in Bihar.
• Neither of the two groups will be permitted to use the name of the party Lok Janshakti Party unconditionally.
• They will be known by the names as they may choose, and will be allotted different symbols from the list of free symbols.

Role of EC on Symbol Dispute

• Para 15 of the Symbols Order 1968 states that; when the Commission is satisfied that there is a dispute between the two factions regarding the party's claim, the decision of the Commission shall be considered final.
• It applies when there is a dispute between the recognized parties at the national and state level.
• In case of parties which are registered but not recognized, the Commission may explain to the factions.
• Before 1968, the commission used to issue notifications and executive orders under the Conduct of Election Rules.

What happens to a group that doesn't get the old party symbol?

• Under the new rules, the new group is required to register itself as a separate party.
• It can claim the status of National or State Party based on performance in the state and central elections.

Key Facts

• In June 2021, the LJP had split into two factions. One led by Chirag Paswan and another by Pashupati Kumar Paras.
• A tussle over the election symbol, have been seen about the Samajwadi Party (Cycle) and the AIADMK (Two leaves) in 2017.
• The Indian National Congress (INC) was split in 1969. It was broken into Congress (O) and Congress (J).
• Congress (O) was led by S Nijalingappa and Congress (J) by Indira Gandhi.