Bangladesh Congress seeks 'Shapla' symbol instead of 'Green Coconut'
The party now argues that, as some political groups have recently sought the Shapla symbol, Bangladesh Congress should receive priority as the first claimant
Registered political party Bangladesh Congress has applied to the Election Commission (EC) to change its electoral symbol from the green coconut (Dab) to the water lily (Shapla), claiming to be the original claimant of the symbol.
The party said it would be unjust if any other political party were allocated the Shapla symbol.
Bangladesh Congress Secretary General Earul Islam submitted an application to chief election commissioner (CEC) requesting the change, while the party's Office Secretary Tushar Rahman formally handed over the application to the EC today (13 October).
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The application states that since its establishment in 2013, Bangladesh Congress has used the Shapla as its party emblem.
The symbol was also featured in its first publicity materials and logo. However, during registration in 2017, the EC rejected the request, stating that the Shapla, being a national symbol, could not be allotted as a party symbol, according to the application.
The party later proposed the book (Boi) symbol, but since it was not among the gazetted symbols, it ultimately accepted the green coconut (Dab) symbol.
The party now argues that, as some political groups have recently sought the Shapla symbol, Bangladesh Congress should receive priority as the first claimant.
The application further adds, "If the Election Commission decides to allocate the national symbol 'Shapla' to any political party, it must be given to Bangladesh Congress in place of its current symbol, 'Dab'."
Notably, the National Citizen Party (NCP) has already stated that it will not proceed with registration if it does not receive the Shapla symbol.
Earlier, Nagorik Oikya had also applied for the same symbol, but the EC rejected their request.
