Dhaka, July 2 (V7N) — Political party Nagarik Oikya has formally requested the ‘Shapla’ (water lily) as its official electoral symbol in a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal at the Election Commission headquarters in Dhaka. The party has asserted its priority claim to the symbol, should it be newly gazetted and added to the official list.

A three-member delegation led by Sakib Anwar, the party’s Organizational Secretary, met with the CEC on Wednesday to present their application and discuss related concerns. The other members of the delegation were Ferdousi Akhter, Secretary for Women and Children Affairs, and Mohiduzzaman Mohid, Office Secretary.

Speaking to reporters following the meeting, Sakib Anwar stated that Nagarik Oikya had officially applied on June 17 to change its current party symbol, the kettle, requesting instead the Shapla as the first preference, and Doel (magpie-robin) as the second.

“We’ve made it clear to the CEC and the Secretary that if the water lily or Doel is included in the updated list of party symbols, Nagarik Oikya should receive priority since we applied before anyone else. If others submit similar applications afterward, it should not override our earlier claim,” said Anwar.

Concerns Over Symbol Registration and Fairness

Anwar emphasized that symbol allocation must follow a transparent and chronological process. He also recalled that despite applying for registration ahead of the 2018 and 2024 general elections, Nagarik Oikya was denied party registration at the time and, consequently, did not receive its preferred electoral symbols. In contrast, several other parties that applied later were registered and granted their desired symbols.

It was only after the post-election political developments in 2024 that Nagarik Oikya received official registration, in September.

Assurance from the Election Commission

According to the delegation, the Election Commission assured that the party’s request for a new symbol would be reviewed and considered fairly under the relevant rules and procedures. The finalization of new party registrations and updates to the symbol list are still underway.

Discussions on Upcoming Election Preparedness

Apart from the symbol issue, the delegation also discussed the Commission’s preparations for the upcoming national polls, expected between February and April next year.

“We expressed our concerns about the symbol issue and appreciated the Commission’s efforts to ensure a fair electoral process,” said Anwar. “We hope the next election will be the most widely accepted in the country’s history.”

The meeting was also attended by Senior Secretary Akhter Hamid of the Election Commission.

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