NCP applies for EC registration seeking 'Shapla' as first choice

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has submitted its application to the Election Commission seeking official registration as a political party.

The party's Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain submitted the application to the EC office today around 4pm.

The party has sought three symbols for its electoral identity, with the 'Shapla' (Water Lily) as its first preference, which is not currently in the EC's provision of symbols. The other two requested symbols are — 'Pen' and 'Mobile Phone'.

Convener of the party, Nahid Islam, has claimed that there is no legal obstacle to securing the 'Shapla' symbol.

Talking to reporters in the evening after a party meeting with Chief Election Commissioner AAM Nasir Uddin, he said, "According to our review of the Election Commission's laws and regulations, there are no provisions that prohibit the allocation of 'Shapla' as a party symbol. For instance, jackfruit, the national fruit, has already been allotted to another party. We see no issue with requesting 'Shapla'."

Nahid mentioned that national symbols such as the sheaf of paddy (Dhaner Sheesh) and the star (Tara) are currently used by political parties as their election symbols. "We've also discussed this with the EC and therefore prioritised 'Shapla' as our first choice."

He said as a party for the people, the NCP believes Shapla, the flower of Bangladesh's rivers and wetlands, resonates most with the masses. 

"Our first preference is Shapla. We hope to secure it as the symbol of the people, of democratic uprisings, and of rural Bangladesh. We aim to contest future elections under the Shapla symbol."

Nahid said the NCP is hopeful to secure EC registration soon.

"We have submitted our party constitution, documents regarding NCP's committees in 25 districts and 105 upazila, and 200 supporters in each upazila, office agreement and others."

The NCP leader also raised concerns about protecting expatriate voting rights, saying, "We've strongly demanded that the voting rights of expatriates be upheld at any cost. The EC has not yet finalised the process, but assured us that it will be decided soon."

Meanwhile, the Nagorik Oikya has applied to the EC to replace their electoral symbol 'Kettle' with the 'Shapla' symbol.

Asked about the matter, Nasir Uddin Patwari, chief coordinator of the NCP, said the party [Nagorik Oikya] already has a symbol, and 'Shapla' is not in the existing provision of the EC's electoral symbols' list. "The matter should be settled quickly."

Nasir expressed optimism that the symbols requested by the NCP would be included in the Election Commission's provisions.

He further claimed that out of the proposed 400 seats under the reform framework, NCP will win 300 and be able to form the government.

NCP Chief organiser (North) Sarjis Alam, Senior Joint Convenor Samantha Sharmin, Joint Chief Coordinator Arifur Rahman Tuhin, were also present, among others.