Highlights
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NCP’s Senior Joint Convener Samantha Sharmin criticizes the Election Commission (EC) for including “Shapla Kali” (lotus bud) in the party symbol list.
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She terms it an effort to portray the National Citizen Party (NCP) as immature or junior.
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Claims EC’s decision raises questions about its neutrality and fairness.
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Alleges that the EC may be colluding with major political parties.
- The EC amended the Election Rules 2008 before issuing the new gazette notification on October 30.
National Citizen Party’s (NCP) Senior Joint Convener, Samantha Sharmin, has sharply criticized the Election Commission (EC) for including the “Shapla Kali” (lotus bud) in its list of electoral symbols. She stated that by choosing a lotus bud instead of a fully bloomed lotus, the Election Commission is symbolically trying to portray the NCP as a small or immature political force. “If a lotus bud can be included, then why not a fully bloomed lotus?” she questioned, adding that this decision once again puts the EC’s role under scrutiny.
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Samantha further alleged that the Election Commission might be working in favor of a larger political party, which she said amounts to betrayal of democratic fairness. “Such a commission cannot conduct a free and fair election,” she added. The controversy follows the EC’s gazette notification on October 30, officially adding the “Shapla Kali” symbol to the list of recognized political party symbols.
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The decision came after the Election Rules 2008 were amended to allow the new inclusion. Political analysts say the move could ignite further debates over the transparency and impartiality of the electoral process, especially ahead of the upcoming national election.
Samantha Sharmin’s remarks reflect the growing mistrust among smaller political parties toward the Election Commission’s decisions. The inclusion of “Shapla Kali” seen by critics as a symbolic downgrade has not only sparked political controversy but also raised fresh concerns about fairness and transparency in Bangladesh’s electoral landscape.
