Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin has confirmed that the Shapla (water lily) symbol will not be allocated to any political party, ending a long-standing dispute between newly-formed political parties over its usage.

In an interview with BBC Bangla, the CEC addressed a range of issues including the upcoming national elections, the challenges of law and order, the Election Commission’s stance on the ruling Awami League, preparations for the polls, and the decision to withhold the Shapla symbol from the National Citizen Party (NCP), which has sought registration.

More than 150 parties have applied for registration with the Election Commission, many of which lack physical presence or infrastructure.

“Our scrutiny has started. We are reviewing all the applications,” Nasir Uddin said. “We will give 15 days to those whose documents are incomplete. 

Those who fail to meet the legal requirements even after this period will not be granted registration. Only those fulfilling the legal conditions will be registered.”

When asked whether the verification process can be completed in time, the CEC expressed confidence, saying: “There is no problem. We have many field offices. 

Around 5,700 people are working at the field level. We have already initiated verification and selection through them, and reports have started coming in.”

The NCP, one of the parties seeking registration, has requested Shapla as its election symbol. However, another party, Nagorik Oikya led by Mahmudur Rahman, also requested the same symbol earlier this year.

“There is controversy over this symbol,” the CEC said. “We considered the matter very seriously. Our commission, composed of five members, makes decisions by consensus—not by imposition.”

He noted that Shapla is not only a contested symbol but also the national flower, creating potential legal complications.

“We investigated the matter thoroughly. There are legal issues tied to the national flag and national symbols. Nagorik Oikya submitted their request before NCP did. A delegation from Nagorik Oikya came around eight to ten days ago and argued that they applied long before NCP. They are already a registered party, whereas NCP is not.”

According to election rules, symbols are typically awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. “If it has to be given, then it would have to go to Nagorik Oikya,” Nasir Uddin stated.

However, due to the dispute and the legal status of Shapla as a national symbol, the Election Commission decided to remove it from the schedule altogether. “There are some legal issues. Therefore, we decided in the commission that we will not keep Shapla as a symbol,” the CEC clarified.

When asked directly whether Shapla would be granted to any party, he firmly replied: “No, no one is getting it. That is our decision.”

The CEC also addressed the restoration of the scale symbol to Jamaat-e-Islami, following a Supreme Court ruling.

“The symbol was previously removed because their registration was cancelled, likely in 2013. The cancellation included the symbol. Now, we have received a judgment from the Appellate Division,” he said.

“When a party’s registration is restored, the associated symbol is also reinstated. So when the status quo was restored, it included the symbol,” Nasir Uddin explained.

Reflecting on his role at a critical time in Bangladesh’s political landscape, Nasir Uddin described his appointment as a personal challenge.

“I took on this responsibility at the twilight of my life because I wanted to give something back to the country,” he said. “I entered with a smile, and I want to leave with a smile. For that, I seek the cooperation of the entire nation—law enforcement, administration, everyone. Inshallah, with their support, that smile will remain.”

SMS/