As Bangladesh gears up for its 2026 parliamentary elections, the Election Commission (EC) is shaking up its playbook with a bold expansion of its election symbols, proposing to add 46 new icons to the existing 69, bringing the total to 115.
From mangoes to minarets, jackfruits to helicopters, the eclectic list – sent to the Law Ministry for vetting on July 10 – reflects the EC’s effort to accommodate a swelling number of political parties and independents.
Notably absent, however, is the water lily (shapla), Bangladesh’s national flower, and magpie robin, Bangladesh’s national bird, sparking curiosity and debate about the choices shaping the nation’s democratic identity.
The move comes amid a surge in political activity under the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, with 147 new parties applying for registration, a record high signalling a vibrant, if crowded, electoral landscape.
“The number of parties is growing, and we need symbols to match,” an EC official told Jago News, explaining the initiative to future-proof the electoral process.
With 51 parties currently registered, including heavyweights like the BNP, Awami League and Jamaat-e-Islami, the EC has allocated symbols for them, reserving the rest for new entrants and independent candidates.
The proposed symbols are a colourful tapestry of Bangladesh’s culture, agriculture, and modernity: apple, pineapple, tiger, rocket, banyan tree, litchi, rising sun, conch, bicycle, scales, electric fan, bunch of bananas, shrimp, paddy sheaf, motorcar, torch, peacock, computer, football, cauliflower, flower tub, and even a hurricane lamp.
The list, trimmed from an initial 150 by an EC committee, blends tradition (plough, bullock cart) with aspiration (mobile phone, helicopter), aiming to resonate with diverse voters.
The list’s journey isn’t final. The Law Ministry can recommend additions or cuts, potentially reshaping the roster before it is formalised.