The newly formed National Citizen Party (NCP) is knocking on the Election Commission’s (EC) door for registration. As part of its application, the party has proposed three electoral symbols, one of which is the water lily (shapla). The other two proposed symbols are a pen and a mobile phone.
However, the water lily has sparked controversy because it is Bangladesh’s national flower and part of the national emblem.
Opponents of NCP argue that the water lily, being the national flower and constitutionally recognised as part of the national emblem, cannot be used as a political party’s electoral symbol.
NCP supporters, however, present a different argument. They claim that the water lily is not the national emblem itself but merely a component of it.
Article 4(3) of Part I of the Constitution states: “The national emblem of the Republic is the national flower Shapla (nymphaea nouchali) resting on water, having on each side an ear of paddy and being surmounted by three connected leaves of jute with two stars on each side of the leaves.”
NCP leaders argue that the national emblem combines multiple symbols, and the water lily alone does not constitute the entire emblem. For example, the sheaf of paddy is also part of the national emblem, yet it serves as the electoral symbol of the BNP.
They question: If one part of the national emblem can be a party symbol, why not another?
Regarding the national flower being used as an electoral symbol, they reason: If the national fruit, jackfruit, can be the symbol of a political party (Jatiya Party-Ershad), why can’t the national flower be one?
The Election Commission’s role in evaluating NCP’s proposal is now crucial. The EC must decide, based on constitutional and legal provisions, whether any of the proposed symbols are reserved as national emblems and their eligibility for electoral use.
Analysts suggest that beyond the constitutional status of symbols, political realities must also be considered. A symbol is not just a marker—it represents a party’s political identity.
Notably, after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government on August 5 last year, the boat (Awami League’s electoral symbol) was removed from the police’s monogram since it was deemed a political symbol.
