The Janata Dal (United) cannot use its arrow symbol to contest elections in Jharkhand and Maharashtra because of its similarity with the bow and arrow symbol used by the JMM and the Shiv Sena in the two states, the Election Commission has said.

The EC had earlier given concession to the JD(U) under a rule to contest polls in the two states using its symbol.

But it has now withdrawn the concession after the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha moved the poll panel, saying the similarity in the symbols could confuse voters.

The JD(U), the JMM and the Shiv Sena are state parties in Bihar, Jharkhand and Maharashtra, respectively.

'Having considered all aspects of the matter, the Commission has directed that the JD(U) will not be granted concession under paragraph 10 of the symbols order to use their reserved symbol 'arrow' for contesting elections in the states of Jharkhand and Maharashtra henceforth,' the commision order, issued on August 16, said.

In March, the poll panel had ordered that the JMM and the Shiv Sena cannot use their poll symbol in Bihar. The move had come after the JD(U) moved the poll panel in January.

The observation made in the order dated March 8, 2019, are equally applicable for the present case of the JMM, the EC said.

The same principle would apply in Maharashtra where Shiv Sena has the 'bow and arrow' as reserved symbol, it said.

Candidates fielded by the Shiv Sena and the JMM in Bihar and those by JD(U) in Jaharkhand and Maharashtra can contest on a 'free symbol'.

The free symbol is used by registered but unrecognised parties and independent candidates. A list of free symbols is made available by the EC.

Written with PTI inputs