In response to the controversy created over the “shapla” (water lily) symbol demanded by the National Citizen Party (NCP), Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin said that the symbol could not be given because it is not on the Election Commission’s approved list. During registration, a symbol must be chosen from the Commission’s designated list.
He made this remark in response to journalists’ questions after a meeting with government officials and senior law enforcement officials at the Chattogram Circuit House on Sunday afternoon.
The CEC further said, “The symbol they wanted is not among our registered symbols. The Commission can increase or decrease symbols if it wishes, but so far, no party has been given a symbol outside the list.”
When asked if there were any complications regarding adding new symbols to the symbol list, the CEC clearly stated that there is no problem.
At the time, he said, “The current leadership of the NCP played a front-line role in the 2024 movement. I believe they will have faith in the democratic process. I do not want to think of any part of them as any less patriotic.”
Pointing out that artificial intelligence (AI) is a major challenge at present, the CEC said, “50 percent of AI sources cannot be identified. Some have proposed shutting down the internet, but we do not want to obstruct the flow of information. I am not in favour of shutting down the internet. We want a transparent election, visible to all – not a vote in the darkness of night.”
Present at the meeting were Chattogram Divisional Commissioner Dr Mohammad Zia Uddin, CMP Commissioner Hasib Aziz, DIG of Chattogram Range Ahsan Habib Palash, Senior District Election Officer Bashir Ahmad, and other officials.
