NCP will not take registration without Shapla symbol: Nasiruddin Patwary

The Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP) has clearly stated that it will not accept election registration from the Election Commission (EC) without the 'Shapla' (water lily) symbol, said the party’s chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary.

He said, “We have informed the EC that registration must be given with the Shapla symbol. NCP will not accept registration without Shapla, and we will remain firm on this issue.”

On Thursday, October 9, after a meeting at the Election Bhaban in Agargaon with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasiruddin, Patwary spoke to journalists.

On the Shapla symbol issue, the NCP’s three-member delegation met the CEC for nearly two and a half hours.

Patwary said, “In the first part of the meeting, we discussed including voters aged 18 and above in the voter list and voting rights for expatriates. For two hours we questioned them about why they would not provide the Shapla symbol. They remained silent and could not give any explanation. Their silence seems like tacit agreement. Finally, we told them they must explain if Shapla is not given, as it is a constitutional institution.”

He added, “The EC has two options: either cancel the symbols ‘Paddy Sheaf’ and ‘Golden Fibre’ or provide the Shapla. We are united with other political organisations that neither symbol should be cancelled. Therefore, we see no legal or political obstacle in receiving the Shapla and remain hopeful.”

Patwary also criticised the EC for creating a situation by consulting different stakeholders and urged journalists to stay alert. He reiterated, “We will continue to fight for the Shapla symbol through democratic processes. NCP registration will be through Shapla, Inshallah, and no other symbol.”

He warned that if the Shapla is not given, any unforeseen events related to the February election may partly be the responsibility of the Election Commission.

The NCP delegation included Joint Member Secretary Zahirul Islam Musa and Joint Convener Khaled Saifullah, while the CEC was accompanied by Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed.

Ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election, the EC has decided to register two parties including the NCP. However, the NCP has repeatedly demanded the Shapla symbol, which is not currently in the EC’s symbol list. On September 30, the EC requested the NCP to select an alternative by October 7. Rejecting this, the party submitted a letter on October 7 requesting the inclusion of the Shapla symbol and amendment of the election conduct rules.