NCP meets CEC, presses for 'Shapla' election symbol
With the upcoming general election slated for February, the Election Commission is completing the process of registering new political parties.
Highlights
- NCP meets with chief election commissioner
- Party expects to learn about progress of its registration
- Previously met EC secretary when CEC was overseas
- EC has yet to decide on party's preferred election symbol, the water lily
A National Citizen Party (NCP) delegation held a meeting with the chief election commissioner (CEC) this afternoon (22 September), expecting to learn about the progress of its registration in continuation of earlier discussions.
The NCP delegation entered the CEC AMM Nasir Uddin's office in Nirbachan Bhaban at around 4:15pm. The meeting ended at 5pm.
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The delegation included NCP Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary, Joint Convener Khaled Saifullah and NCP Joint Member Secretary Zahirul Islam Musa.
What NCP said after the meeting
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Patwari said the party insists on 'Shapla' (water lily) as its election symbol.
"There is no alternative to Shapla as our election symbol. It can be white or red. We will not compromise on Shapla," he said.
Speaking to The Business Standard before the meeting, Zahirul Islam Musa said, "On 8 September, we went there to know about the progress of our party's registration. At the time, we met the [EC] secretary since the CEC was abroad. Today's meeting is a continuation of that, and we expect to know about the latest progress."
Several parties await registration
With the upcoming general election slated for February, the Election Commission is completing the process of registering new political parties. Within the next week, a public notice is expected to be issued regarding whether there are any objections against the eligible parties based on on-site investigation reports.
The EC has completed on-the-ground verification of the central and field-level existence, committees and related documents of 22 parties that survived its initial screening.
According to the law, a party seeking registration must have a central committee, committees in one-third of the districts, and 100 upazila committees. Each committee must also provide proof of support from at least 200 voters.
After reviewing all requirements, the EC plans to issue a notification regarding eligible parties, resolve any claims or objections, and finalise the registration of new parties within this month.
Among the parties in discussion, the NCP and several others are reportedly ahead in the race to secure registration.
After receiving investigation reports, the EC's selection committee held meetings last week with representatives of several applicant parties.
Issues with NCP's preferred symbol
NCP leaders have consistently expressed optimism about getting registration. However, the EC has said no final decision has yet been made regarding the party's preferred election symbol, the water lily.
Alongside the water lily, the NCP has applied for a white or red water lily as an alternative symbol. But such symbols are not currently on the EC's approved list.
Besides, a list sent to the law ministry for vetting is awaiting approval.
NCP leader Musa said, "Once we get registration, we will discuss the matter of symbols. At today's meeting, we expect to receive an update on the registration process."
The EC plans to wrap up the registration of new political parties before beginning election dialogues with stakeholders in the last week of September.
According to the EC's roadmap, the dialogues are likely to begin on 30 September or a day or two later and will be completed in several phases within a month to six weeks.
Currently, the number of registered political parties stands at 50. The newly registered parties will also be included in this year's dialogue.
