The Election Commission has given final approval to the list of symbols for the National Assembly elections without the expected leaf symbol of the National Civic Party-NCP.
Commission Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said that even if the NCP gets registered, it will not get the leaf symbol as it is not on the list. After registration, the party will have to request a new symbol. The symbol will have to be taken from the designated list.
Akhtar Ahmed presented the commission’s position while facing reporters at the Election Building on Tuesday. The Election Commission had sent the list of symbols in the election conduct rules to the Law Ministry for revision, leaving 115 symbols. The government has approved the code of conduct and the list of symbols, including vetting.
Talking to reporters at the Election Commission building, the EC secretary said, “Our list of 115 symbols does not include the lotus symbol. According to the rules, political parties have to choose a symbol from within the prescribed list. So if the NCP wants it, it will have to choose another symbol.”
He said, “The registration process of political parties is ongoing. The registration-related documents are still under review. However, the coordination process regarding symbols has already taken a step forward.” The NCP has also demanded a white and red lotus as its symbol, along with the lotus.
The party’s chief coordinator, Nasiruddin Patwari, told reporters after a meeting with the Chief Election Commissioner on Monday that they would not give up on the demand for the lotus symbol.
The symbol under which NCP will be registered must be registered through (any one of) these three symbols. This cannot be deviated from. However, stating that there is no such opportunity, the EC Secretary said on Tuesday, “NCP has applied for the symbol. But since the Shapla symbol is not on the list, we have told them to send an alternative proposal. The settlement will be decided with the consent of the EC and the party.
He said that the Election Commission will start a series of dialogues with civil society, teachers, women leaders, journalists, political parties and election experts from September 28. The schedule for these discussions will be determined step by step, taking into account worship and holidays.
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