EC to review NCP’s request for ‘Shapla’ electoral symbol

Staff Reporter :

The Election Commission (EC) will hold a meeting to review the National Citizen Party’s (NCP) request to allocate the “Shapla” (water lily) as its electoral symbol, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin said on Thursday.

“We will review the NCP’s letter in the Election Commission meeting before making any decision. I will not decide alone. After a discussion, we will decide the next steps,” the CEC told reporters at the EC headquarters in Agargaon.

The NCP, which emerged at the forefront of last year’s July–August uprising, formally applied to the Commission on Wednesday seeking inclusion of the “Shapla”—either the traditional water lily, a white version, or a red version—as an official electoral symbol by amending provisions of The Conduct of Election Rules, 2008. The application, signed by party convener Nahid Islam, was submitted via email to the EC Secretariat’s senior secretary. Debate has since intensified over the symbol. The CEC pointed out that Nagorik Oikya had first requested the Shapla but was denied.

“NCP requested the Shapla symbol, and that is why it is being discussed. But Nagorik Oikya wanted it first, and they did not bring it up for discussion then. Why so much discussion now? We did not give it to Nagorik Oikya. The EC secretary has already spoken on this, and I don’t want to elaborate further,” he said.

The Commission published its final list of election symbols on Wednesday, though parties were given the option to apply for alternatives. NCP subsequently renewed its plea for Shapla.
Asked whether NCP’s insistence on the symbol posed a challenge, the CEC dismissed concerns. “Politicians can say many things. We will follow the law. I do not consider it a threat. They are not anti-national. They are patriotic. This is not a threat to the country or to us,” he said.

He also noted that while any political party may submit a request, the decision rests with the Commission. “NCP led the uprising, so there is no problem in submitting letters. Politicians accommodate things in the interest of the country. We will consider the letters and see what can be done,” he said.

According to the NCP’s application, the EC had earlier formed a committee to review the existing list of electoral symbols ahead of the 13th parliamentary elections, which prepared a draft list of 150 symbols. The party argued that including Shapla—one of Bangladesh’s most recognizable national icons—would reflect the aspirations of a large segment of the population.
The Commission is expected to review the NCP’s letter in its upcoming meeting before making a final decision.