NCP announces political battle if denied ‘Shapla’ electoral symbol

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has warned that it will launch a political movement if denied the right to use the ‘Shapla’ (water lily) as its electoral symbol.

The warning came from NCP’s chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari during a press briefing on Sunday, following a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at the Election Commission headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka.

“We have no alternative to Shapla. We’ve looked into the legal grounds and found no barrier to obtaining the symbol. If we are obstructed, we’ll respond politically,” Patwari stated.

He also raised concerns over the neutrality of the Election Commission (EC) and called for its reformation ahead of the national polls. “Even the law that formed the current commission should be reviewed and amended,” he added, alleging that some EC officials were acting like party spokespeople.

A five-member NCP delegation attended the meeting with the CEC. The team included Patwari, chief organisers Hasnat Abdullah (southern region) and Sarjis Alam (northern region), joint secretary Zahirul Islam, and joint convener Khalid Saifullah.

After the meeting, Zahirul Islam briefed reporters, confirming that they had submitted a fresh application to claim the Shapla symbol. He also said the party had demanded the removal of the ‘boat’ symbol, traditionally used by the Awami League, arguing that the party’s registration is currently suspended, and thus its symbol should be delisted.

Responding to questions about the Shapla being part of the national emblem, Islam clarified that the national emblem includes other elements like jute leaves, paddy sheaves, and stars, which are already in use by various parties. “We’ve informed the EC that the symbol itself does not constitute the national emblem and has no legal barrier for electoral use,” he said.

The NCP also called on the EC to ensure voting rights for overseas Bangladeshis. According to Zahirul Islam, the EC assured them that the matter would be seriously considered.

Finally, the party sought updates on their application for political registration, to which the EC responded that the process is currently underway.