NCP wants ‘boat’ removal, inclusion of ‘shapla’

The National Citizens’ Party (NCP) has officially asked the Election Commission (EC) to remove the ‘Boat’ symbol from its list of electoral symbols.

The party claims that the ruling Awami League’s registration has been suspended, so the Boat symbol should no longer appear in the EC’s list.

At the same time, the NCP is demanding the allocation of the ‘Shapla’ (water lily) symbol for their party. NCP leaders have warned that they will start a political campaign in protest if they do not receive the symbol.

After a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A.M.M. Nasir Uddin at the EC headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka, NCP representatives spoke to the media.

Joint Secretary Advocate Zahirul Islam Musa said that they submitted a written request to the EC to remove the Boat symbol. He mentioned that the CEC assured them the issue would be considered.

NCP’s Chief Coordinator Nasir Uddin Patwari said there are no legal barriers stopping the party from getting the Shapla symbol. He warned, “If we are denied, we will respond politically.”

When asked about the current situation, Patwari added that the Election Commission needs to be restructured before the upcoming national election. He alleged, “This EC is acting as a mouthpiece for one particular party.” He believes those within the commission doing their jobs well should stay, but overall, the EC needs reorganization.

Earlier that day, around 10:30 AM, a five-member NCP delegation arrived at the EC office. At 11:00 AM, they met with the Chief Election Commissioner. The delegation included Nasir Uddin Patwari, Southern Region Chief Organizer Hasnat Abdullah, and Northern Region Chief Organizer Sarjis Alam. The meeting lasted about two and a half hours.

Last week, the Election Commission decided to keep 115 electoral symbols while changing its rules for handling national parliamentary elections. The updated list, which has been sent to the Ministry of Law for review, does not include the ‘Shapla’ symbol. The NCP strongly criticized this decision.

NCP requested the Shapla symbol when it submitted its registration application on June 22. Previously, on April 17, Mahmudur Rahman Manna’s party, Nagorik Oikya (Citizens’ Unity), also applied for the same symbol. Both parties held several meetings with the EC regarding their claim to Shapla. In the end, the EC excluded the symbol from the finalized schedule.

Currently, 50 political parties are registered with the Election Commission. The remaining electoral symbols will go to independent candidates and new political parties.