Dhaka, Sep 23 (V7N) – The National Citizens Party (NCP) will not be able to use the Lotus symbol in the upcoming National Parliament elections, the Election Commission (EC) confirmed on Tuesday.

Akhtar Ahmed, Senior Secretary of the EC, said that the Lotus symbol is not included in the EC’s official list of 115 election symbols. “Political parties must choose a symbol from the specified list. Therefore, if the NCP wants to participate, it must submit an alternative symbol proposal,” he told reporters at the Election Bhaban in Agargaon.

He also stated that the EC will begin continuous dialogues with participating parties from September 28, with the schedule being set in stages considering Puja and other holidays.

Meanwhile, the NCP remains adamant about retaining the Lotus symbol. The party has requested the symbol twice in its application for registration and reiterated its demand during a meeting with the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) on Sunday.

END/SMA/AJ