The National Citizen Party (NCP) has once again requested the Election Commission (EC) to allocate “Shapla” symbol to the party. The NCP reiterated its demand on Tuesday after the EC rejected its application submitted earlier for the symbol.
According to party sources, NCP Convener Nahid Islam submitted the new application to the EC. This time, he also specified three variations — “Shapla”, “White Shapla”, or “Red Shapla”.
Earlier on 25 September, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin told reporters that NCP first applied for “Shapla” symbol on June 17. The party’s demand was denied considering its resemblance to a national emblem.
“The matter didn’t attract much discussion back then, so why is there so much talk about it now?” he remarked.
The CEC also mentioned that the registered political party Nagorik Oikya initially sought ‘Shapla’ symbol.
“They met with us about it, and we decided not to approve it. Now I see there’s a lot of discussion over this symbol again. Our senior secretary has already briefed on the issue, and I have no further comment,” he added.
In its new petition, the NCP alleged that the EC’s refusal to allocate ‘Shapla’ was “not grounded in any legal basis but rather reflects an adverse attitude and arbitrary conduct toward the party.”
The party further claimed that “the EC appears to be treating the NCP unfairly in the matter of election symbol, which undermines the credibility of the commission as an independent constitutional institution.”
Referring to the recent political climate, the application stated, “By acting contrary to the spirit of the July mass uprising, the EC’s role in advancing democratic progress in the country has come under public scrutiny.”
The NCP has also accused the EC of making “deliberate and unnecessary delays” in its registration process.
“The commission’s hostile attitude has cast serious doubts over its goodwill and capability to ensure a level playing field and to conduct free, fair, and impartial elections,” the letter read.
