Election Commission's behaviour shows it cannot hold fair polls: NCP after meeting with EC secy
According to EC officials, today is the last day for the NCP to select a symbol from the commission’s approved list.
Hasnat Abdullah, chief organiser for the southern region of the National Citizen Party (NCP), has said the Election Commission's behaviour makes it appear incapable of holding a free and fair election.
The Election Commission no longer seems to hold the "remote control" of the election – it is being operated from somewhere else, Hasnat told reporters after a meeting with the EC secretary today (19 October) on the Shapla (water lily) symbol for the party.
He alleged that the EC is trying to impose a symbol on the party without explaining why it has refused to approve the "Shapla" symbol for the NCP.
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"They are forcing a symbol on us without giving any explanation. When we ask for one, their response is basically, 'I am not in the mood today'. This is arbitrary behaviour by the EC," he said.
Hasnat said the party remains firm on the Shapla symbol, adding, "We see no alternative and have conveyed that to the EC."
Around 11am, a four-member NCP delegation led by Hasnat Abdullah met with EC Secretary Akhter Ahmed at the commission office.
Also present were Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary, Joint Convener Khaled Saifullah, and Joint Member Secretary Zahirul Islam Musa.
Patwary said after the meeting that the party raised complaints about irregularities in EC tenders, called for removing deceased voters from the voter list, and warned against the EC acting on any political party's agenda.
"We see some election commissioners working in favour of different groups — BNP, Jamaat, or the army. If this continues, we will demand their resignation," he added.
Earlier, the Election Commission had asked the NCP to choose an alternative symbol, but the party has remained firm on keeping "Shapla."
Today's meeting began shortly after the team entered the commission office.
As the chief election commissioner was absent, the discussion took place with EC Secretary Akhter Ahmed.
Party sources said a final decision on the symbol issue may come out of the meeting.
According to EC officials, today is the last day for the NCP to select a symbol from the commission's approved list. If the party fails to choose one, the Election Commission will assign a symbol on its own.
Earlier, the EC had sent a letter asking the NCP to select its symbol from among 50 options listed under the Election Conduct Rules, but the party reiterated that it would not register under any symbol other than "Shapla."
