NCP to be assigned symbol if it fails to select any Shapla alternative by 19 Oct: EC

The Election Commission (EC) will assign a symbol to the National Citizen Party (NCP) on its own initiative if the party fails to choose an alternative to the Shapla (water lily) symbol by 19 October, EC Secretariat Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed has said.

"The EC has sent a letter to the NCP asking it to apply for a new symbol. If it does not request one by 19 October, the EC will assign a symbol on its own," Akhtar told reporters at Nirbachan Bhaban in Agargaon today (14 October).

He said the commission's activities are focused on the upcoming national election, scheduled to be held in February. 

"The government has not informed us about any referendum, so I have no comment on that matter," he added.

The senior secretary also said that the commission will hold a meeting with law enforcement agencies on 20 October to discuss election security.

When asked about the NCP's statement that it will not accept registration without the Shapla symbol, Akhtar said, "That is their issue."

Regarding whether there is any legal obstacle to granting it the Shapla symbol, the secretary explained, "Since the Shapla is not on our list, we could not allocate it."

Asked whether the national emblem influenced the EC's decision, Akhtar clarified, "The commission does not see any need to include the Shapla in the list. This is the EC's decision."

He added, "If the NCP fails to choose a symbol from the approved list within the stipulated time, the EC will assign one 'through its own process.'"

The EC had earlier decided to grant registration to two new political parties, including the NCP, ahead of the election. The process of publishing a gazette notification with their symbols is underway.

On 30 September, the EC sent a letter to the NCP allowing it until 7 October to select a symbol from 50 listed options. However, instead of choosing one from the list, the party demanded an amendment to the rules to reintroduce the Shapla as its symbol. 

The EC, however, has remained firm in its decision not to allocate the Shapla symbol to any party.

Responding to queries from journalists, Akhtar reiterated, "Although the NCP demanded the Shapla, it could not be allocated as it is not included in the official list."

When asked whether assigning a different symbol could create political unrest, Akhtar said, "That is their matter. It is a matter of time – we will see."

He did not elaborate on what "assigning through its own process" would entail.

The EC secretary also mentioned that verification of information for 12 political parties seeking registration is ongoing. 

"Investigations are being carried out both centrally and at the field level. The final decision on which parties will receive registration will be made next week," he said.

Out of 143 parties that had applied for registration ahead of the 13th general election, 121 were rejected. Verification is currently ongoing for the remaining 22 parties.

Guidelines on symbol allocation

During the 5th parliamentary election in 1991, the erstwhile commission, headed by Justice Abdur Rouf, followed five principles in allocating election symbols to political parties:

1. Symbols previously allocated to political parties in the 1979 parliamentary election or thereafter would, as far as possible, be retained for those parties. The parties' past and present membership, participation in previous elections, and performance would also be taken into consideration.

2. Political parties applying for a specific symbol only would, as far as possible, have that symbol reserved for them.

3. If multiple political parties claimed the same symbol, they would first be encouraged to reach a mutual understanding; if they failed to do so, the commission would determine the allocation "through its own procedure," including, if necessary, by drawing lots.

4. For political parties submitting more than one preferred symbol, the commission would consider their choices as far as possible.