The National Citizens Party (NCP) has reversed its earlier rigid stance and decided to accept "Shapla Koli" (water lily bud) as its official electoral symbol.
The decision was confirmed by NCP Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary following a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at Nirbachan Bhaban in Dhaka on Sunday.
The party had previously been adamant about demanding "Shapla" (water lily) as its symbol and stated it would not accept "Shapla Koli" after it was included in the Election Commission's October 30 gazette notification listing 119 electoral symbols.
Patwary explained the turnaround was made "considering the Election Commission’s arbitrary conduct" and the "greater interest" of entering the election phase rather than remaining stuck over the symbol issue. He also noted that the party has received a positive public response regarding the "Shapla Koli" symbol.
The NCP announced its intention to field candidates in all 300 constituencies in the upcoming 13th parliamentary election, and the party will consider any interested individual who comes forward.
Patwary also urged the Election Commission to finalize the party’s registration process without further delay.
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