Eggplant, balloon, ostrich: EC offers NCP 50 alternatives to Shapla, party calls it 'laughable'
Citing Election Rules 2008, Rule 9(1), the EC said Shapla is not currently included in the list of symbols assignable to parties
The Election Commission (EC) has offered the National Citizen Party (NCP) a choice of 50 electoral symbols after refusing to allocate its preferred Shapla (waterlily).
The options include everyday objects such as eggplant, banana, plate, suitcase, cupboard, bed, sofa, sewing machine, ostrich, and more – choices that NCP leaders have described as "ridiculous".
In a letter sent to NCP Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari following the party's registration appeal deemed acceptable in the preliminary review, the EC instructed the new party to select a symbol by 7 October.
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Citing Election Rules 2008, Rule 9(1), the EC said Shapla is not currently included in the list of symbols assignable to parties. "Once a symbol is chosen, it will be reserved for the party unless a later change is requested."
In response, Patwari at a press briefing said, "We have received the EC's letter listing symbols such as cupboard, ostrich, and plate. These are laughable. The EC is acting arbitrarily and discriminatorily toward us."
He argued that there is no legal obstacle to allocating Shapla to the NCP and questioned why other parties receive national symbols without objection.
Patwari also accused the EC of bias, alleging one-party favouritism, and said the NCP would continue to exercise its constitutional and democratic right to protest if denied its preferred symbol.
Earlier, Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin said, "The NCP has requested Shapla, and the matter is under discussion. However, the Nagorik Oikya had applied for Shapla first, and we refused them. There was no debate then – so why now?"
According to the EC, the 50 symbols available for new parties include eggplant, banana, balloon, lychee, suitcase, tiffin carrier, cupboard, bed, ostrich, kite, cup-saucer, glasses, building, charger light, computer, jug, ship, tubewell, table, table clock, telephone, fridge, tabla, heron, rooster, pen, watermelon, flute, gourd, pitcher, shrimp, plate, bench, cradle, butterfly, football, flower pot, bundle, bucket, electric fan, mug, microphone, peacock, mobile phone, conch shell, sewing machine, sofa, deer, duck, and helicopter.
