Election Commission Directs NCP to Select Symbol by October 19

PNN News Desk | Dhaka:

The National Citizens’ Party (NCP) has been instructed by the Election Commission (EC) to select an alternative symbol from the list specified in the regulations and inform the EC by October 19. If they fail to do so within the given timeframe, the EC will decide on the party’s symbol at its discretion.

Speaking to reporters at the Election Commission office on Tuesday, EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said, “A letter has been sent to the NCP regarding this, and they have been asked to inform us of their decision on the symbol within the stipulated time.”

The NCP had requested the “Shapla” (water lily) as their symbol, but it was not included in the Election Commission’s official list of symbols, and therefore could not be allocated to the party. The EC Secretary further stated, “The NCP was previously asked to select a symbol by October 7, but they again demanded the Shapla symbol.”

When asked about the EC’s decision, he said, “Since the Shapla symbol is not in the official list, it could not be allocated. The EC’s decision remains unchanged. The commission believes there is no need to include Shapla in the list.”

This presents a major challenge for the NCP, as their preferred symbol is not consistent with the official regulations. The party now has time to select an alternative symbol, otherwise the Election Commission will assign one for them.