Staff Reporter :
The National Citizen Party (NCP) will not be allotted the ‘Shapla’ (water lily) as its election symbol, Election Commission (EC) Secretary Akhter Ahmed confirmed on Tuesday.
Speaking at the EC headquarters at Agargaon, Ahmed clarified that the water lily does not appear in the commission’s approved list of 115 electoral symbols.
“As per regulations, political parties must select their symbol from the approved list. Since the ‘Shapla’ is not included, it cannot be allocated to the NCP,” he said.
The EC has advised the party to propose an alternative symbol, Ahmed added, noting that the final decision will require the consent of both the commission and the party concerned.
The secretary also said the Ministry of Law had recently returned reviewed files on the electoral code of conduct and the symbol list, signaling progress in the registration process of political parties.
“The registration documents are still under review. Once
finalised, we will make an official announcement,” he stated.
Ahmed further announced that beginning 28 September, the EC will initiate dialogue sessions with civil society members, teachers, women leaders, journalists, political parties, and election experts.
These discussions will be arranged in phases, taking into account upcoming holidays, including Puja.
On the issue of expatriate voter registration, the secretary said the process was ongoing:
“We cannot bring new developments every day, but we are trying to keep the media updated on every step of our preparations,” he said.
Meanwhile, an NCP delegation met with Chief Election Commissioner on Sunday (22 September).
After the meeting, the party’s chief coordinator, Nasiruddin Patwari, told reporters:
“We have requested three symbols — Shapla, White Shapla, and Red Shapla. We are not moving away from these. But we fear conspiratorial efforts are being made to deprive us of these symbols. Our registration must be completed with one of these, and this cannot be altered.”
Patwari, however, sounded optimistic about the ongoing process, saying:
“Some good news is coming for us after the July interim period.”
In a separate development, the NCP’s chief organiser for the northern region, Sarjis Alam, expressed his frustration in a Facebook post on Tuesday afternoon.
“Since there is no legal barrier, NCP’s symbol must be the water lily. There is no other option. Otherwise, we will also watch how elections take place and how some dream of seizing power and enjoying the benefits,” Alam wrote.
