EC Rules Out NCP’s Demand for Water Lily Symbol

EC secretary Akhter Ahmed explains the commission’s stance on NCP’s water lily symbol demand at Nirbachan Bhaban on 23 September 2025.

The Election Commission (EC) has made it clear that the National Citizen Party (NCP) will not be allotted the water lily symbol in the upcoming 13th parliamentary election, as the symbol does not exist on the official list of electoral icons.

Speaking at the EC headquarters in Agargaon on Tuesday, EC Secretary Akhter Ahmed said, “The NCP will not get the water lily because it is not on the approved schedule of 115 symbols. Political parties are required to choose from this list, and since the water lily is not included, there is no scope to allocate it.”

His remarks come after the NCP leadership intensified its demand for the water lily, commonly known as Shapla, claiming it as their rightful electoral emblem. On Monday, NCP’s chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary met with the Chief Election Commissioner to press the case for the symbol.

Patwary reaffirmed his party’s uncompromising stance, stating, “We raised our demand for Shapla even today. We are not moving away from it under any circumstances. Regardless of colour, the water lily must be our symbol in the election. But we are noticing conspiracies from different sides to deprive us of it.”

The EC, however, remains firm in its decision. Officials explained that the list of symbols had already been finalised and circulated among political parties ahead of the polls. Allowing an unlisted symbol, they argued, would not only breach rules but also set a controversial precedent.

Meanwhile, the EC is preparing for broader consultations with stakeholders ahead of the election. From 28 September, the commission will hold dialogues with political parties, civil society representatives, academics, women leaders, election experts, journalists, and freedom fighters.

According to Secretary Akhter Ahmed, the review of documents relating to political party registration is in its final stage. “We will announce our decision once the scrutiny is complete. Alongside, the commission is also revising the electoral code of conduct and working on necessary amendments to the Representation of the People Order (RPO),” he added.

The firm denial of NCP’s demand is expected to deepen political debates in the run-up to the election, with the party reiterating that it will contest only under the water lily symbol. The EC, however, insists that all parties must abide by the rules and respect the existing framework of electoral symbols.