NCP Rejects ‘Shapla Koli’, Demands Only ‘Shapla’ Symbol

NCP Rejects EC’s Decision to Allocate ‘Shapla Koli’

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has expressed dissatisfaction with the Election Commission’s (EC) latest decision to include “Shapla Koli” (water lily bud) as an election symbol in its updated gazette.

Reacting immediately after the gazette’s publication on Thursday, October 30, 2025, NCP Joint Member Secretary Zahirul Islam Musa said that the party does not accept the newly assigned symbol.

“We do not accept the symbol ‘Shapla Koli’. We want only ‘Shapla’. We are not satisfied with the inclusion of ‘Shapla Koli’ in the list of symbols,” Musa told journalists.

Party’s Consistent Demand for the ‘Shapla’ Symbol

According to party sources, the NCP had repeatedly requested the Election Commission to allocate the ‘Shapla’ (water lily) symbol during a series of formal meetings.

The party had made it clear that it would not seek registration without being assigned the specific “Shapla” symbol, which it considers integral to its political identity and public recognition.

The ‘Shapla’ symbol, widely seen as a representation of purity and reform, is historically significant in Bangladesh’s political landscape, and the NCP argues that replacing it with ‘Shapla Koli’ distorts that symbolism.

Gazette Announcement and EC Clarification

The new gazette, signed by EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed and published on Thursday, officially added ‘Shapla Koli’ as symbol number 102 under Article 94 of the Election Conduct Rules, 2008.

With this addition, the total number of election symbols now stands at 119.

However, NCP leaders say the decision undermines fairness and transparency, as their formal request for the “Shapla” symbol was already under review.

“We believe the Commission’s decision is arbitrary and politically motivated,” one senior party insider said.

What’s Next for the NCP

Following the EC’s announcement, the NCP leadership is expected to hold an emergency internal meeting to decide its next course of action.

Party sources indicate that they may file an appeal or stage demonstrations demanding reversal of the decision.

Earlier this week, NCP Convener Nahid Islam had already criticized the Election Commission for what he described as “arbitrary handling” of electoral symbol allocations, vowing that the party would fight politically to claim the Shapla symbol.

If unresolved, the dispute could further strain relations between the reformist NCP and the Election Commission ahead of the upcoming national elections.