NCP will not get Shapla symbol: EC

The National Citizen Party (NCP) will not be allotted the Shapla as its electoral symbol. Instead, it must choose an alternative from the Election Commission’s (EC) list, said EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed.

On Tuesday, September 23, he shared the information with journalists at the Election Building in Agargaon, Dhaka.

Akhtar Ahmed said, “The vetted list of symbols has been received from the Ministry of Law. The Shapla symbol is not included in that list.”

The EC had sent a list of 115 symbols under the Election Conduct Rules to the Ministry of Law for amendment. Following vetting, both the code of conduct and the list of symbols have been approved.

The EC Secretary stated that since the Shapla is absent from the approved list, the NCP must submit an alternative proposal.

Speaking to journalists at the Election Building, the EC Secretary said, “In our list of 115 symbols, the Shapla is not there. By regulation, political parties must select symbols only from the approved list. Therefore, if NCP wishes, it must choose another symbol.”

The NCP had already requested Shapla, White Shapla, and Red Shapla as its symbols. The Secretary said, “NCP applied for these symbols. But since the Shapla is not in the list, we informed them to submit an alternative proposal. The decision will be finalised through agreement between the EC and the party.”

He further mentioned that the registration process for political parties is ongoing, and related documents are currently under review. However, coordination regarding symbols has already advanced one step.

Additionally, he announced that from September 28, the Election Commission will begin a series of dialogues with civil society, teachers, women leaders, journalists, political parties, and election experts. The schedule for these discussions will be set step by step, taking into account Puja and public holidays.

Earlier, NCP’s Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary said, “On the matter of symbols, we have stated that our symbol is the Shapla — White Shapla or Red Shapla. We are not moving away from the three symbols we have mentioned.”