The National Citizen Party (NCP) has officially chosen “Shapla Koli” (water-lily bud) as its election symbol.Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner A. M. M. Nasir Uddin at the Election Commission on Sunday (November 2), NCP Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari said the symbol had already gained wide public recognition.“We have requested the Commission to expedite the registration process of the NCP,” Patwari said.Patwari led a three-member delegation to the meeting that included Joint Convener Khaled Saifullah and Joint Member-Secretary Zahirul Islam Musa. He expressed confidence that the upcoming general election would see a “neck-and-neck contest” between the BNP’s paddy-sheaf and the NCP’s Shapla Koli.

The NCP leader also criticized what he described as “arbitrary actions” by the Election Commission, arguing that party symbols should not become a tool for “nomination trading.”

Earlier, the Commission had offered a list of 50 alternative symbols—including the eggplant and balloon—saying “Shapla” was not included in the election regulations. The NCP, however, had insisted it would not seek registration without its preferred emblem.

Subsequently, the rules were amended to include “Shapla Koli,” though the party had initially proposed “Shapla,” “Red Shapla,” or “White Shapla” as its options.