NCP will not get Shapla symbol: EC

The Election Commission yesterday announced that the National Citizen Party will not be allocated the "Shapla" (water lily) symbol, as it is not included in the EC's reserved symbol list.

Hours after the announcement, Sarjis Alam, chief organiser (northern region) of NCP, protested the decision and said, "We too shall see how the election is held and who dreams of coming to power."

In a Facebook post, Sarjis said the EC secretary's claim that "Shapla" is not on the list of electoral symbols indicated that there was "no legal barrier" to allocating the symbol to the NCP.

Star Online Graphics

Earlier, speaking to reporters at the commission's headquarters, EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said NCP must now submit an alternative proposal, and a final decision would be made through mutual agreement.

The EC also announced that it plans to begin dialogues with various election stakeholders, including civil society, political parties, women representatives, and election experts from September 28.

"The first phase of the discussions will begin with academics from September 28. The aim is to understand their views on the upcoming national elections," he said.