The Election Commission (EC) on Thursday unveiled a revised list of 119 electoral symbols, now incorporating the 'Water Lily Bud' (Shapla Koli).
A revision to the election regulations was issued in this connection in a notice signed by EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed on the day.
But the National Citizens Party (NCP) has long been demanding "shapla" (water lily) as its electoral symbol.
According to the updated list, with the addition of four new symbols this time -- Shapla Koli, stairs, handshake, and sunflower -- the total number of electoral symbols now stands at 119. Earlier, the EC had published a list of 115 symbols, which did not feature the 'Water Lily Bud'.
Before publication of the new list, the EC earlier sent a letter to the NCP, giving it until Oct 7 to choose an election symbol from the 50 listed in the official schedule.
However, Nasiruddin Patwary, the chief coordinator of the National Citizen Party (NCP), said his party reiterated its firm demand for the 'Shapla' electoral symbol, expressing dissatisfaction with the Election Commission's incorporation of the 'Shapla Koli' instead.
Patwary said, "The Election Commission has given us the Shapla Koli symbol in the new gazette notification. We do not understand on what basis the commission has allocated this. However, we are uncompromising on the Shapla issue."
Speaking at a seminar on Implementation of the July Charter and the Path of National Election", organised by its youth wing Jatiya Jubo Shakti at its headquarters in Dhaka on Thursday, the NCP leader also criticised other political parties for manipulative tactics centring on the July Charter.
He said, "BNP's note of dissent to the Consensus Commission is actually a 'note of cheating'. And even though Jamaat talks about the July Charter, they are negotiating for seats in the lower house by talking about PR system. This is a kind of hypocrisy".
Speaking as the chief guest, Mr Patwary said the commission must include Shapla symbol in the new gazette. "We want to participate in the elections peacefully; otherwise, we will pursue democratic movements at the commission's office to claim our rights".
He urged the government to swiftly issue an ordinance to implement the recommended charter.
Patwary said, "Only Dr. Muhammad Yunus has the rightful authority to sign the charter, while President Mohammed Shahabuddin holds no such power," he alleged. The seminar was presided over by Jatiya Jubo Shakti convener Advocate Tarikul Islam, and speakers included NCP joint conveners Samantha Sharmin, Dr. Tasnim Jara and Dr. Khaled Saifullah, among others.
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