Dhaka, Nov 02 (V7N)- The National Citizens Party (NCP) is ready to adopt the ‘lotus bud’ as its official election symbol for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary elections, said the party’s chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari.

Patwari made the remarks after a meeting with the Election Commission at the EC building on Sunday (November 2) afternoon. He predicted a tough electoral contest between the ‘paddy sheaf’ and the ‘lotus bud’ symbols in the upcoming polls.

He added that the NCP is not currently planning to form alliances but may reconsider if the BNP abandons extortion and terrorism and Jamaat-e-Islami moves away from religious extremism.

Patwari also expressed concerns that conflicts over the referendum between major parties could delay the elections but noted that the NCP has no objection to the timing of the referendum. He urged political parties to resolve their differences for a smooth electoral process.

The NCP plans to field candidates for all 300 parliamentary seats and invited citizens from across the country to participate.

The move comes after the Election Commission added several symbols, including the ‘lotus bud’, to the list of allocable political party symbols on Thursday (October 30). Earlier, the party had requested the Shapla (water lily) as its symbol, which could not be granted as it was already reserved.

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