Happy that ‘bat’ is party’s symbol for the polls, says Altaf Bukhari (File)
Jammu:
The Altaf Bukhari-led Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party has been given the ‘bat’ symbol for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in the Union Territory.
In a communication to the Chief Electoral Officer of Jammu and Kashmir, the Election Commission (EC) said it has withdrawn the “bat” symbol granted to the Sanyogwadi Party for the general elections.
It said the common symbol accorded to the Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party will be valid only for the upcoming Lok Sabha general elections. “Further use of a common symbol by the party is not permitted after the conclusion of the elections,” the notice said.
About the awarding of the symbol, former minister Altaf Bukhari told news agency PTI that he was happy with the ‘bat’ as the party’s symbol for the polls. “Bat represents the famous willow (cricket bat) industry of Kashmir and we are confident of scoring a six in the J&K election battle,” he said.
In the notice, the EC said, “…the commission has withdrawn the ‘Hockey and Ball’ symbol awarded to ‘Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party’ in the 2024 Lok Sabha general elections for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir . . .” “Further, the committee has awarded the symbol ‘bat’ to ‘Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party’ in the remaining phases of the general elections to Lok Sabha, 2024, for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir under Para 10B of the Order of Symbols, 1968.” , the message read.
The commission said that returning officers should be directed to award the common symbol “bat” to candidates formed by the registered unrecognized political party, subject to compliance with the provisions of paragraph 13 of the Election Symbols ( Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968.
According to the EC, paragraph 13 of the decision relates to the appointment of candidates by a party.
“In case the (Apni) party fails to meet the requirement of minimum number of candidates as prescribed under Section 10B of the Symbols Order, 1968, i.e. in a minimum of two parliamentary constituencies in the State or Union Territory concerned, then the said common symbol will not be available to their candidates,” the letter said.
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