“The ‘Shapla Koli’ Symbol Was Not Added Due to Anyone’s Demand”: Election Commission Secretary

There is a difference between the Shapla (Water Lily) and Shapla Koli (Water Lily Bud) symbols. The Shapla Koli symbol was not added to the list due to anyone’s specific demand, said Election Commission (EC) Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed.

He made the remark on Thursday (October 30) while talking to reporters after a meeting with various ministries, departments, and authorities at Agargaon in the capital.

He said, “The inclusion of the Shapla Koli symbol was not based on any political party’s request. The Commission decided to add it because of negative feedback regarding some other symbols. Due to these objections, the regulations have been amended. Out of the previous 115 symbols, 16 have been removed, and several new ones have been added. The revised list now includes 119 approved symbols.”

He added, “Along with Shapla Koli, several other new symbols have been introduced. I don’t see any logical reason for further controversy over this matter.”

Earlier, the Election Commission published a revised gazette notification, officially adding Shapla Koli to the list of electoral symbols. The gazette, signed by EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed, was issued on Thursday.

According to the gazette, exercising the powers granted under Article 94 of the 1972 Order, the Election Commission amended the Election Conduct Rules, 2008, replacing sub-rule (1) of rule 9 with a new one.

The gazette further stated that, subject to other provisions of the rules, a contesting candidate—under clause (1) of Article 20—shall be allocated one of the listed symbols (except any suspended ones), depending on availability.

The new list of approved symbols includes:
Pineapple, Cow, Television, Book, Train Engine, Mango, Towel, Coconut, Egret, Rickshaw, Almirah, Rose, Dressing Table, Tiger, Lychee, Eagle, Bell, Wooden Beater, Banyan Tree, Plough, Camel, Kite, Star, Bicycle, Shapla Koli (Water Lily Bud), Rising Sun, Horse, Lock, Bucket, Golden Fiber, Single-string Instrument (Ektara), Wheel, Plate, Baby Taxi, Sewing Machine, Scissors, Key, Scales, Electric Fan, Sofa, Dove, Comb, Building, Electric Bulb, Staircase, Pen, Shrimp, Wall Clock, Ladder, Lion, Pitcher, Chair, Double-decker Bus, Mug, Sunflower, Banana Bunch, Jackfruit, Eyeglasses, Inkpot & Pen, Microphone, Deer, Cup & Saucer, Stick, Cradle, Car, Hand (Palm), Sickle, Jug, Anchor, Umbrella, Paddy Sheaf, Torch, Wristwatch, Kettle, Ship, Boat (suspended), Peacock, Hand Fan, Duck, Crocodile, Flashlight, Turban, Fish, Elephant, Computer, Tube Well, Water Tap, Winnowing Tray, Hammer, Axe, Table, Palanquin, Minaret, Hurricane Lamp, Winnowing Fan, Table, Butterfly, Candle, Handshake, Cottage, Table Clock, Fruit Basket, Motorcycle, Mobile Phone, Hookah, Spade, Date Palm Tree, Truck, Football, Stool, Helicopter, Tractor, Cauliflower, and Rooster.

Meanwhile, the National Citizen Party (NCP) has long been demanding Shapla (Water Lily) as its party symbol. During its registration application last June, the party requested Shapla, Pen, and Mobile Phone as preferred symbols. Later, it dropped the other options and insisted solely on Shapla. However, since Shapla was not on the official list of symbols for political parties, the EC repeatedly rejected NCP’s application.

Earlier, Nagorik Oikya—led by Mahmudur Rahman Manna—had also requested the Shapla symbol, which was similarly rejected. While the NCP’s registration process is nearing completion, the dispute over the symbol has continued for months, involving multiple letters, meetings, and discussions with the EC.

Most recently, on October 7, the NCP again submitted seven sample designs of the Shapla symbol to the EC. However, the Commission did not accept it. In its reply, the EC clearly stated that the party must choose a symbol from the approved list, and if no response was received, the Commission would assign one on its own.

The last day for choosing a symbol was October 19, but the NCP reiterated that it would not accept any symbol other than Shapla. Finally, today, the EC amended the list of symbols and added Shapla Koli (Water Lily Bud).

Earlier, on October 27, during a press conference at the EC headquarters, Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed had said:
“Since Shapla is not included in the regulations, we cannot allocate it to the NCP. The Election Commission will issue a public notification assigning another symbol at its discretion.”