EC to allot symbols to parties permanently after registration

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The Election Commission (EC) will allot electoral symbols to the political parties permanently just after finishing the process of political party registration as part of the ongoing reforms.
Election Commissioner M Sohul Hussain said this at a press briefing at his office in the city Wednesday, reports UNB.
"Symbols would be allotted as per application of the political parties after finalising the political party registration rules", the commissioner said.
The electoral symbols, which the parties have used up till now, were allotted to them according to the existing practice. "But symbols have to be allotted permanently since now there is a question of registering the parties," he said about the latest EC position.
Asked if the existing practice would be maintained or not in allotting electoral symbols, Sohul said the Awami League (AL) used to use 'boat' and BNP 'sheaf of paddy' as their traditional electoral symbols in the past.
"If they (AL and BNP) or parties like them apply for the old symbols, then it will certainly be taken under consideration… If more than one party apply for the same symbol, then the EC would sit to take decision on the matter and allot the symbol to the appropriate party."
If any party split and applied for the same symbol, then the EC would allot the symbol to the faction that would be considered 'mainstream', he said, adding that the EC hoped the leaders of any split party would resolve such issues discussing among themselves.
Sohul said that there were 150 electoral symbols reserved for elections as per the conduct-of-election rules. Of the symbols, the EC had abolished some five or six symbols, including 'sword', 'minaret', 'camel' and 'book'.
If Jamaat applied for 'scale' as electoral symbol, then the symbol would have to be given to them respecting the existing practice, he said. "But if other parties object to doing so, then it (the objection) would also be considered."