EC allocates symbols to 3 parties, NCP gets ‘Shapla Koli’
BSD (Marxist) gets ‘Kachi’ and Aam Jonogon Party ‘Handshake’ as election symbols
The Election Commission (EC) has allocated electoral symbols to three political parties — the National Citizen Party (NCP), Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (BSD-Marxist), and Bangladesh Aam Jonogon Party.
The commission issues three separate notifications this evening (4 November), allocating symbols to the parties.
Among the parties, the National Citizen Party (NCP) has been allotted the election symbol 'Shapla Koli', the Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (Marxist) got 'Kachi' (scissors), and the Aam Jonogon Party was assigned the symbol 'Handshake'.
According to the Election Commission notifications, representatives of these parties applied for registration under Section 6A of the Representation of the People Order, 1972.
The commission has invited objections, if any, regarding the registration of these parties.
Individuals or organisations wishing to object have been requested to submit written complaints, with reasons and supporting evidence, to EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed by 12 November.
Earlier in the day, EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said the EC has decided to grant registration to these three political parties.
"The final certificate will be issued after resolving all claims and objections, which is expected between 14 and 15 November," he said.
Previously, NCP had repeatedly requested the Election Commission to allocate the Shapla (water lily) as its electoral symbol.
The EC declined, saying the Shapla is a national symbol and cannot be used for the election.
However, on 30 October, the EC included a new symbol, Shapla Koli (water lily bud), following an amendment to the Election Conduct Rules, 2008.
Following the new symbol's inclusion, NCP indicated it would accept Shapla Koli as its election symbol.
