New Delhi: The Election Commission on Saturday froze the Shiv Sena symbol amid tussle between Uddhav Thackeray faction and Eknath Shinde camp.

The Commission can allocate the name and symbol to both factions from the options submitted

The poll body passed an interim order, saying that neither of the two groups shall be permitted to use the symbol bow and arrow, reserved for ‘Shiv Sena’.

Following the order, now neither the ruling Eknath Shinde government nor the Uddhav Thackeray camp will be allowed to use the ‘bow and arrow’ poll symbol in Andheri East bye polls.

According to the EC’s order, both the fractions shall be allotted different poll symbols as they may choose from the list of free symbols notified by the poll watchdog for the purposes of the current bye-elections.

“Both groups shall also be allotted such different symbols as they may choose from the list of free symbols notified by the Election Commission for the purposes of the current bye-elections. Accordingly, both groups are hereby directed to furnish, latest by 1pm on 10th October,” EC said in an order.

The Commission can allocate the name and symbol to both factions from the options submitted.

The interim order came on Saturday on the Shinde faction’s request seeking it be allocated the symbol as the Andheri East assembly bypoll is approaching.