EC to pick NCP election symbol if party misses Oct 19 deadline

The Election Commission (EC) has warned that it will decide the symbol for the National Citizen Party (NCP) if the party does not submit its preferred choice by October 19.

Speaking to reporters at the Election Commission headquarters on Tuesday, EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said, “The NCP must inform us of their alternative symbol by the 19th. Otherwise, the commission will make a decision at its discretion. We believe there is no need to include the Shapla (water lily) as a symbol.”

Earlier, the EC had sent a letter to the NCP, asking the party to select a symbol from the 50 options listed in the election rules. However, the party has maintained that it will register only with the Shapla symbol.

On demands from several parties, including Jamaat, for a referendum, the EC Secretary said the government will take the decision, and the commission will act accordingly.