NCP to contest next election with Shapla symbol, no alternatives: Sarjis Alam
The commission should consider introducing some new, meaningful symbols and removing those that have become a source of public ridicule, he says
The National Citizen Party (NCP) will contest the upcoming national election with the Shapla (water lily) symbol, said Sarjis Alam, chief organiser of the party's northern region.
"We will contest with the Shapla symbol in the next election, there is no alternative," he said at a coordination meeting of the NCP's Natore district unit held at a convention hall in the Kanaikhali area of the district town today (6 October).
"The Election Commission should consider introducing some new, meaningful symbols and removing those that have become a source of public ridicule," he added.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Meanwhile, Samantha Sharmin, senior joint convener of NCP, told The Business Standard that the party has not yet received any official communication from the Election Commission regarding a possible meeting to review the party's letter seeking the "Shapla" symbol.
"We have learned that the process of allocating the Shapla symbol to the NCP is currently underway, and we hope the commission will get in touch with us very soon," she said.
Eggplant, balloon, ostrich: EC offers NCP 50 alternatives to Shapla, party calls it 'laughable'
Criticising the EC, Sarjis Alam said, "If this Election Commission, after the mass uprising, cannot function as an independent constitutional body and fails to grant us our rightful symbol due to external influence, then it will lose all credibility to conduct the next national election.
"How can we trust a commission that lacks the courage to assign a party its electoral symbol?"
Rajshahi Divisional organising secretary Imran Emon, Natore District chief coordinator Professor Georges Kadir Babu, organiser Faisal Ahmed, and joint coordinator of the NCP Natore district unit Abdul Mannaf were also present at the event.
On 24 September, the NCP formally applied to the Election Commission seeking inclusion of the "Shapla" as an electoral symbol by amending the provisions of The Conduct of Election Rules, 2008.
However, the commission refused to allocate NCP's preferred Shapla and offered the party a choice of 50 electoral symbols.
Allocate 'shapla' by amending electoral rule: NCP to EC
The options include everyday objects such as eggplant, banana, plate, suitcase, cupboard, bed, sofa, sewing machine, ostrich, and more – choices that NCP leaders have described as "ridiculous".
In a letter sent to NCP Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari, the EC instructed the new party to select a symbol by 7 October.
Citing Election Rules 2008, Rule 9(1), the EC said Shapla is not currently included in the list of symbols assignable to parties. "Once a symbol is chosen, it will be reserved for the party unless a later change is requested."
'Hope CA won't join any political party'
Speaking at another coordination meeting of the NCP's district and metropolitan committees in Rajshahi, Sarjis Alam said he does not expect the chief adviser to join any political party or engage in politics, noting that "the people of the country have put their trust in him, not the advisory council."
Criticising some advisers, he said, "A few are thinking about how to make a safe exit with honour through the elections. They should not think this way, it is not respectful to leave quietly through the elections."
He also claimed that the advisers of the interim government are responsible for problems in justice, law and order, and foreign relations.
Sarjis stated that his party is prepared to contest the upcoming election, provided that the legal framework for the 'July Charter' is finalised and trials for top brass involved in the mass uprising are settled by February.
He further criticised the Awami League, saying the party has no legitimate opportunity to engage in politics and that its registration and symbols should be cancelled; otherwise, student movements may return to the streets.
