EC Secretary: NCP won’t receive the ‘Shapla’ symbol

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Election Commission (EC) Secretary Akhtar Ahmed indicated that the National Citizen Party (NCP) will not be able to use the ‘Shapla’ (water lily) symbol, as it is not included in the list of symbols approved by the Law Ministry. After registration, the party would need to request a new symbol and select it from the approved list.

Speaking to reporters at the EC Secretariat on Tuesday, September 23, the EC Secretary said 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 symbol list have already been approved by the ministry.

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

Ahmed noted that the registration process for political parties is ongoing, with submitted documents currently under review. Nonetheless, coordination regarding party symbols has progressed to the next stage.

NCP had requested the ‘Shapla’, ‘White Shapla’, and ‘Red Shapla’ symbols. “The party applied for a symbol, but since 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,” he said.

He also announced that starting September 28, the EC will begin a series of dialogues with civil society members, teachers, women leaders, journalists, political parties, and election experts. Given upcoming holidays and festive periods, the consultation schedule will be rolled out in phases.

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