NCP won’t get ‘Shapla’ symbol: EC Secretary

Election Commission (EC) Secretary Akhtar Ahmed has said that the National Citizen Party (NCP) will not be able to get the ‘Shapla’ (water lily) symbol, as it is not included in the list of symbols approved by the law ministry. 

He said that after obtaining registration, the party will have to request a new symbol and must choose it from the approved list.

Speaking to reporters at the Election Commission Secretariat on Tuesday (September 23), the EC Secretary said that the EC had sent a proposal to the law ministry to amend the list of 115 election symbols. The code of conduct, including vetting, and the list of symbols have been approved by the ministry.

“Our list of 115 symbols does not include the ‘Shapla’,” the EC Secretary said. “According to the rules, a political party must choose its symbol from the approved list. Therefore, if NCP wants a symbol, it will have to select an alternative.”

He added that the registration process for political parties is ongoing, and the submitted documents are currently under review. However, coordination regarding party symbols has already progressed to the next stage.

NCP had requested the ‘Shapla’, ‘White Shapla’, and ‘Red Shapla’ symbols. “The party applied for a symbol, but as the ‘Shapla’ is not on the list, we have asked them to submit alternative proposals. The final decision will be made in agreement with the EC and the party,” the Secretary said.

He also mentioned that from September 28, the Election Commission will start a series of dialogues with civil society members, teachers, women leaders, journalists, political parties, and election experts. Considering upcoming holidays and festive periods, the schedule for these consultations will be determined in phases.

On the expatriate voter registration process, the Secretary said it is progressing steadily. “News cannot be generated every day, but we are trying to provide regular updates to the media at every stage of election preparations,” he added.