NCP agrees on 'Shapla Koli' as their electoral symbol

The National Citizen Party, formed by young leaders who spearheaded the July Uprising, has agreed to take 'Shapla Koli' as its election symbol -- backing away from its earlier insistence on securing the Shapla logo, reports bdnews24.com.

The decision was announced on Sunday after a meeting with the chief election commissioner (CEC) at the Election Commission headquarters in Dhaka.

NCP's Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary said, "The National Citizen Party has submitted letters to the Election Commission requesting Shapla, Shada Shapla, and Shapla Koli as potential symbols."

He added, "If Shapla Koli is allocated, the NCP will accept it. Our grassroots have responded positively to the Koli symbol."

The EC, in view of the next parliamentary elections, decided to register two parties, including the NCP. For the NCP, the EC initially allowed them until Oct 7 to select a symbol from the 50 symbols listed in the schedule.

Although the party remained adamant on the Shapla symbol, the EC also consistently maintained that the logo could not be assigned due to not being part of the official list.

Amid this stalemate, NCP leaders issued a warning that they would launch a movement against the EC if their symbol of choice was not awarded. However, they later backed away.

BSS adds: NCP Convener Nahid Islam said on Sunday his party wanted the next national election in February after united implementation of the July charter and ensuring its full legal legitimacy.

"The referendum can be held either on the election day or before the election. It should rather be left to the government and the Election Commission, depending on their administrative and law-and-order capacities," Nahid told a press conference at the party's central office in Banglamotor area of the city.

Nahid said the July Charter must be formally proclaimed by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. Reaffirming the NCP's position, he said the party wanted a February election to be held through the legal and institutional implementation of the July Charter.

"We are seeing confusion and unnecessary debates over whether the referendum should come before or on Election Day. BNP and Jamaat seem to have been locked in another avoidable dispute over this. But this is not an issue worth differing," he added.

Nahid said all political parties should unite to implement the July Charter and ensure a peaceful transition. "Our appeal to all parties is to come together. The reform process, once agreed upon, must be carried out collectively," he said.

He noted that the NCP continues to support the Consensus Commission's proposals regarding constitutional and institutional reforms - including the formation of an upper house, reintroducing caretaker government, and appointments to constitutional and judicial offices.

"We believe these reforms should be endorsed through a referendum, and the government can decide the exact questions to be placed before the people," he said.

The NCP leader reiterated that the party views elections and reforms as related but separate processes. "We are open to alliances with parties that share our core objectives - building an inclusive democratic Bangladesh, freeing the nation from fascism and foreign domination, and completing structural reforms. But if any party stands against reform, unity with them is not possible," Nahid added.