Allocate 'shapla' by amending electoral rule: NCP to EC
It further stated that the EC has previously allocated symbols derived from national emblem components; the BNP was granted “Sheaf of Paddy”, and JSD received “Star.”
The National Citizen Party (NCP) has formally applied to the Election Commission (EC) seeking inclusion of the "Shapla" (water lily), "White Shapla" or "Red Shapla", as an electoral symbol by amending the provisions of The Conduct of Election Rules, 2008.
The NCP submitted the application, signed by its convener Nahid Islam, via email to the senior secretary of the EC Secretariat today (24 September), confirmed Mushfiq Us Salehin, joint member secretary of the party.
According to the application, ahead of the 13th parliamentary elections, the EC initiated moves to update the list of electoral symbols under the 2008 rules. A committee was formed for this purpose, which prepared a draft list of 150 symbols.
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"NCP representatives met a member of the committee on 4 June at the EC office, where they were assured that 'Shapla' would be included in the final list," the application stated.
Subsequently, on 22 June, the party filed its application for registration as a political party in line with the EC's 10 March public notification, while also seeking reservation of the "Shapla" symbol.
However, on 9 July, media reports revealed that the EC had decided not to include "Shapla" in the symbol list, reasoning that it is a national emblem, the NCP added.
In response, an NCP delegation met the chief election commissioner and other commissioners on 13 July. During the meeting and in a written submission, the party argued that the EC's interpretation was "legally baseless."
The party, in its application citing Article 4(3) of the Constitution, the Bangladesh National Anthem, Flag and Emblem Order, 1972, and the Bangladesh National Emblem Rules, 1972, stressed that there is no legal bar to including "Shapla" as an electoral symbol.
It further stated that the EC has previously allocated symbols derived from national emblem components; the BNP was granted "Sheaf of Paddy", and JSD received "Star."
Similarly, the "Jackfruit," the national fruit, was allocated to the Bangladesh Jatiya Party, and "Golden Fibre" to Trinamool BNP.
"Therefore, the NCP maintained, granting 'Shapla' would not contravene the law."
NCP alleged that during a 3 August meeting, the CEC raised irrelevant concerns, claiming that because "Shapla" appears in the logos of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) and some other agencies, the EC could not allocate it.
The party rejected this logic as "discriminatory and arbitrary" in its application, pointing out that despite similar overlaps, BNP was allocated "Sheaf of Paddy" (also in the police logo), AB Party was given "Eagle" (also in the air force logo), and Jamaat-e-Islami received "Balance Scales" (also in the Supreme Court logo).
The application accused the EC of "biased and arbitrary behaviour" and warned that such conduct undermines its neutrality as a constitutional body.
It also alleged that the decision not to allocate "Shapla" appears to be influenced by "lobbying from a major political party."
"In view of all these factors, we hope the Election Commission will amend The Conduct of Election Rules, 2008, and allocate one of the following as NCP's electoral symbol: Shapla, White Shapla, or Red Shapla – while abandoning its previous arbitrary and rigid stance," the application added.
