FE REPORT
The newly-formed National Citizen Party (NCP) has submitted an application to the Election Commission (EC) seeking official registration as a political party.
Alongside its registration request, the party has proposed the national flower "Shapla" (water lily) as its preferred electoral symbol.
The application was formally submitted on Sunday afternoon at the EC headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka. Present during the application submission were NCP Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain, Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary, Northern Region Coordinator Sarjis Alam, and Senior Joint Convener Samanta Sharmin.
In its list of preferred symbols, the NCP has proposed "Shapla" as the first choice, followed by "pen" and "mobile phone."
Speaking to the media later, Akhtar Hossain said, "We have fulfilled all the conditions outlined in the Representation of the People Order (RPO) and have just submitted our party registration application. The EC officials have received the documents and handed us the acknowledgement receipt."
Nasiruddin Patwary, also present at the event, said, "Just as the people of the country triumphed during the mass uprising on 5th August, we believe the people will similarly rally behind the Shapla symbol in the upcoming national elections. Under NCP's leadership, a new government will be formed."
He also called for the reconstitution of the Election Commission, alleging that the institution had been systematically weakened over the past 15 years.
"As a constitutional body, the EC has been destroyed, but that doesn't mean the Commission has vanished. We want to rebuild it, empower it, and restore the people's voting rights," he added.
The NCP was officially launched on February 28, following the July-August mass movement that led to the fall of the Awami League government. It emerged from the anti-discrimination student movement and the National Citizens' Committee.
With the 13th National Parliamentary Elections ahead, over 24 political parties have submitted applications for registration as of Sunday noon-the final deadline. Initially, the EC invited interested parties to apply by March 10, setting the application deadline for April 20.
A total of 65 parties applied within that timeframe. Later, the EC extended the deadline to June 22 following requests from 46 parties, including NCP.
sajibur@gmail.com
