The Election Commission in an interim order issued for the current by-elections to the Dr Radhakrishnan Nagar Assembly constituency in Tamil Nadu has decided not to award the “two leaves” the official symbol of the AIADMK to either former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam’s faction of the party or to the Sasikala faction . It has also said that neither of the two groups will be allowed to use the name of the party --- AIADMK in the by elections.

“After going through the practical difficulties and adjudicating evidence running into over 20,000 pages adduced by both the parties… that too filed late in the evening yesterday… the Commission is not in a position to give any final decision at the present juncture in the short time available,” the Commission said in its order.

The order further states that both the groups shall be known by the names that they may choose for their respective groups and shall also be allotted different symbols as they may choose from the list of free symbols notified by the Election Commission.

The Commission’s order, further states that both the AIADMK groups have to furnish by 10 am on March 23 the names of their groups and symbols that may be allotted to their candidates for elections to the Radhakrishan Nagar constituency, elections to which are scheduled to be held on April 9 this year. The last date for withdrawal of nominations is March 24. Counting of votes will take place on April 13.

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