EC excludes AL’s electoral symbol ‘Boat’ from website, includes Jamaat’s ‘Scales’

The Election Commission (EC) has removed the Awami League's electoral symbol "Boat" from its website. 

The EC, on the other hand, included Jamaat-e-Islami's electoral symbol "Scales" on its website.

Speaking to journalists at the EC headquarters in Dhaka's Agargaon yesterday, EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said the move was taken solely to eliminate any misunderstanding among the public regarding the boat symbol, which is historically associated with the Bangladesh Awami League, activities of which is currently banned.

"There has been some public speculation and uncertainty surrounding the boat symbol. To eliminate any confusion, and since the Awami League's registration is currently under suspension by court order, the EC has decided to withdraw the boat symbol. That is the only reason — it was not done under any pressure," Akhtar clarified.

He added, "As for whether the boat symbol will appear in the schedule, yes, it will be listed in the gazette. However, its use will be reserved and protected — no one else will be allowed to use it. That's the key point."

Akhtar confirmed that "Scales" was added as the symbol next to the registered party Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on the EC website today (16 July).

The Election Commission issued a gazette on 3 July reinstating the registration of Jamaat-e-Islami along with its electoral symbol "Scales."

"Shapla," which the National Citizen Party (NCP) is seeking as its symbol, has not been included in the official electoral schedule, the EC confirmed.

Akhtar said, "The EC has not included the shapla symbol in the schedule, and as of now, it remains excluded. Whether it will be added in the future depends entirely on the EC's decision at a later stage."