No lawsuit if NCP gets Shapla symbol, says Nagorik Oikya President Manna
Nagorik Oikya, which is currently registered with the Kettle symbol, recently applied to change its electoral symbol from Kettle to either Shapla or Doel
Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna has said that if the Election Commission (EC) denies his party the Shapla (water lily) electoral symbol, citing its national symbol status, then it should not be given to any other party. However, if it is granted to the National Citizen Party (NCP), he would not file a lawsuit.
"They [NCP leaders] came to me. Considering their age, experience, and commitment to ousting Sheikh Hasina's fascism following the July Uprising, I feel sympathetic toward them. If they are given the Shapla symbol, I assure you, I will not take legal action," he said while speaking at a views-exchange meeting with journalists in a restaurant in Sirajganj last night (1 October).
Nagorik Oikya, which is currently registered with the Kettle symbol, had recently applied to the EC for a change of symbol.
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After the fall of the Awami League government on 5 August last year amid mass protests led by students and citizens, Nagorik Oikya received official registration.
The party has since applied to change its electoral symbol from Kettle to either Shapla or Doel (magpie robin). At the same time, the newly formed NCP also sought the Shapla symbol.
On 25 September, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin told journalists, "NCP has sought the Shapla symbol and this is under discussion. But Nagorik Oikya requested it first. We did not grant it to Nagorik Oikya."
On 24 September, the EC published the final list of electoral symbols. Although the commission allowed parties to submit appeals for alternative symbols, NCP again applied for Shapla.
Responding to the matter, the CEC said, "We will sit with the application and decide in a commission meeting. After discussions, the commission will decide the next steps."
He further noted, "Nagorik Oikya wanted to replace their Kettle with Shapla, which we rejected. Later, NCP submitted the same request. The commission took a decision about the Nagorik Oikya; it will decide on NCP's request as well."
