The EC has directed the political party Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP) to choose an alternative symbol from the list of symbols stipulated in the Election Commission (EC) rules by October 19. The commission said that if it does not decide within the stipulated time, the EC will decide on the party's symbol at its own discretion.

EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed gave this information while talking to reporters at the Election Building in Agargaon in the capital on Tuesday afternoon. He said, "A letter has been given to the NCP in this regard. If they do not choose a symbol from the list by October 19, the commission will decide the symbol as per its own decision."

According to the Election Commission, the NCP has fulfilled the conditions for registration as a political party. The party has been demanding 'Shapla' as its election symbol. However, since this symbol is not included in the EC rules, it is not possible to allocate the Shapla symbol to the party.

The EC had earlier sent a letter to the NCP asking it to choose a symbol from the prescribed list. The symbol was asked to be selected and announced by October 7. But even after the deadline passed, the NCP insisted on their previous position and once again demanded the 'Shapla' symbol.

In this regard, EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said, "Even if the NCP wants the Shapla symbol, it is not possible to give it as it is not in the rules. The decision of the commission remains unchanged. The EC does not see any need to include Shapla in the list."

Election Commission officials said that the commission has already held internal discussions on determining the symbol. Now, if the NCP does not announce an alternative symbol on time, the EC will allocate a symbol for them as per its own decision.