On Friday, the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh issued a directive to the Election Commission, instructing them to provide a common symbol for all candidates representing the 'Ekam Sanatan Bharat Dal' in the upcoming elections in four states scheduled for November this year.

Justice Rajesh Sekhri has stated that the interim order will remain in effect but is open to objections and is subject to the final resolution of the matter.

The court has issued a notice to the Election Commission and other respondents, requesting their response within a period of four weeks. This action was taken during the hearing of a petition filed through advocate Ankur Sharma.

The petitioner, 'IkkJutt Jammu,' asserts that it is a registered political party and has argued that it legally changed its name from 'IkkJutt Jammu' to 'Ekam Sanatan Bharat Dal' in accordance with the established rules. The organization claims that it submitted a request to the Election Commission for the allocation of a shared symbol for the upcoming assembly elections in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Telangana. However, the Election Commission did not respond to their request.

In the interim, the respondents have been instructed to accept the nomination paper and Form B submitted by the petitioner party under the name "Ekam Sanatan Bharat Dal," as stated by the judge.

Justice Sekhri has issued a directive for the allocation of a common symbol, allowing the petitioner party to participate in the upcoming legislative assembly elections in the four states.

Justice Sekhri emphasized that this order is contingent on any objections raised and is subject to the final resolution of the matter.

As per the petitioner's claims, even though they have followed all the necessary procedures as mandated by the law, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has not made any decision regarding the name change or the allocation of a common symbol. This was noted by the court.

The next hearing in this matter is scheduled for December 11.