The National Citizen Party (NCP) of Bangladesh has warned the Election Commission after being denied the “Shapla” (water lily) symbol. NCP chief organiser Sarjis Alam said the party has no alternative but to get the Shapla symbol. He added that the EC must address the issue or face consequences.
Alam criticised the EC for ignoring the party’s earlier requests. He questioned whether officials were inactive or taking instructions from outside parties, despite claiming independence. The NCP demanded clarity on why the symbol was not included.
The EC clarified that the Shapla symbol does not appear in its reserved list of 115 electoral symbols. Earlier, NCP representatives met Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin. Party coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari said the registration must include one of the Shapla variants — Shapla, white Shapla, or red Shapla — and cannot be changed.
Bangladesh faces growing political uncertainty ahead of next year’s elections. The NCP warning adds tension, as student leaders previously joined Muhammad Yunus and other parties against the Awami League government led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
