EC to reconsider 'Shapla' symbol following NCP's appeal
NCP submitted a written demand to the commission, requesting a clear explanation of the rules and criteria under which symbols are either approved or excluded.
The Election Commission (EC) has decided to reconsider its earlier decision regarding the 'Shapla' symbol claimed by the National Citizen Party (NCP) today (21 October).
The commission said it would review the relevant laws and regulations before making a final decision soon.
Earlier on 13 October, the commission issued an official letter to NCP, directing the party to select an alternative symbol from the official list and inform the commission by 19 October.
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EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed had told reporters that if the party failed to do so, the commission would allocate a symbol at its own discretion.
Although NCP had been asked to choose from the approved list since "Shapla" was not included there, the party submitted another application on the very last day (19 October) reiterating its demand for the same symbol.
NCP submitted a written demand to the commission, requesting a clear explanation of the rules and criteria under which symbols are either approved or excluded.
However, speaking to The Business Standard today (21 October), EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said that the party had been clearly informed about the deadline.
"We wrote to NCP stating that if they failed to select a symbol from the official list by 19 October, the EC would allocate one through its own process. Now, they have disagreed with that. The matter has been placed before the commission, which will decide whether to uphold its previous decision or issue a new one," he said.
In its latest letter, the NCP asked the commission to provide a written explanation why 'Shapla', 'White Shapla', or 'Red Shapla' was not included as an available electoral symbol.
According to the EC, the 50 symbols currently available for newly registered political parties include: eggplant, banana, balloon, lychee, suitcase, tiffin carrier, cupboard, bed, ostrich, kite, cup-saucer, glasses, building, charger light, computer, jug, ship, tubewell, table, table clock, telephone, fridge, tabla, heron, rooster, pen, watermelon, flute, gourd, pitcher, shrimp, plate, bench, cradle, butterfly, football, flower pot, bundle, bucket, electric fan, mug, microphone, peacock, mobile phone, conch shell, sewing machine, sofa, deer, duck, and helicopter.
