'Shapla Koli' added to EC's list of electoral symbols
With this inclusion, the total number of symbols in the updated list now stands at 119
The Election Commission (EC) has added a new electoral symbol, "Shapla Koli" (Water Lily Bud), to its official list of symbols through an amendment to the Election Conduct Rules, 2008.
According to a gazette notification signed by EC Secretariat Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed today (30 October), "Shapla Koli" has been included in the list at serial number 102.
With this inclusion, the total number of symbols in the updated list now stands at 119.
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The gazette stated that the amendment was made under the authority granted by Article 94 of the Representation of the People Order, 1972 (President's Order No 155 of 1972).
The EC's decision comes after the National Citizen Party (NCP) applied for the Shapla (Water Lily) symbol as their party emblem and held several meetings with the commission regarding the issue.
On 21 October, the EC decided to reconsider its earlier decision regarding the 'Shapla' symbol claimed by the NCP.
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.
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.
On 9 October, NCP Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary told journalists after a two-hour meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin that the party would not accept registration without the Shapla symbol.
"There is no point in participating in the election without it," he said, adding, "We don't see any legal or political barrier to getting the Shapla symbol. That's why we are hopeful we will get it. NCP will not accept registration without Shapla."
However, despite repeated requests, the EC had earlier decided not to allocate the Shapla symbol to any political party, saying that it was not listed in the Election Conduct Rules and therefore could not be assigned.
On 30 September, the EC sent a letter to the NCP asking the party to choose another electoral symbol by 7 October. In response, on 7 October, the NCP again urged the EC to amend the Election Conduct Rules to include the Shapla symbol.
In a letter signed by NCP Convener Nahid Islam, the party requested that one of three symbols — Shapla, White Shapla, or Red Shapla — be allocated to them.
