NCP Seeks Shapla Variants as Election Symbols, Nagorik Oikya Also Submits Request
The National Citizens Party (NCP) has formally requested the Election Commission (EC) to allocate shapla, white shapla, and red shapla as its electoral symbols. Party convener Nahid Islam submitted the application to the EC secretary on Sunday (August 3).
NCP’s chief coordinator Nasir Uddin Patwari told Ekattor that the revised petition replaced the earlier requests for “pen” and “mobile phone” with “white shapla” and “red shapla,” while retaining the original “shapla” symbol.
Earlier, on June 22, NCP had sought “shapla” as its first choice, with “pen” and “mobile phone” as second and third options. However, the EC excluded shapla from the list, citing its status as a national symbol. At the time, Nahid Islam argued that shapla should not be restricted, pointing out that other national elements such as “jackfruit” and the “sheaf of paddy” have already been used as political symbols.
Despite these arguments, the Election Commission decided on July 9 not to approve the use of shapla or any national symbol as a party emblem. Although NCP later reapplied, proposing shapla in place of the “boat,” the EC clarified that the Awami League’s registration remains suspended but its boat symbol will not be removed from the official electoral list. Shapla, however, was also not included in the EC’s reserved symbols under electoral regulations.
Meanwhile, Nagorik Oikya has also sought shapla as its election symbol, replacing its current kettle symbol. On July 2, party representatives submitted a formal application to the Chief Election Commissioner with the request.
