EC makes policy call not to include national emblem ‘water lily’ in poll symbol list

The Election Commission (EC) has taken a policy decision not to list the national emblem, the water lily, as an election symbol amid claims over it by two political parties.

Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud shared the development on Wednesday, according to a bdnews24.com reports.

The Nagorik Oikya had sought the water lily as its symbol instead of the kettle, while the newly formed National Citizen Party (NCP) also applied to use the symbol in its registration bid.

The commission, led by AMM Nasir Uddin, reached the decision in the face of debate over whether a national emblem should be assigned to a political party.

The EC will exclude the water lily from the official list of election symbols under the conduct rules.

“In the newly proposed list of symbols, the water lily will not be included. It will not be part of our official schedule as an election symbol,” said Masud.