Bangladesh election bosses have banned the water lily symbol from their official list of party logos. The move crushes hopes for the newly formed National Citizen Party who desperately wanted the flower as their main symbol. Young protest leaders who started the party during last year's mass uprising picked the water lily as their top choice when they applied for official recognition. They also listed pen and mobile phone as backup options on their registration forms. The rejection means they must settle for something else entirely.
Another political group called Nagorik Oikya also tried to ditch their kettle symbol for the same water lily design. Party officials met with the Chief Election Commissioner on July 2 and submitted their symbol change request back in June. They wanted the water lily as their first pick and the national bird as their second choice. Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Mashud explained that his team made a firm policy decision against giving the water lily to any political party. He told reporters that national symbols carry special meaning and should stay off limits.
The commission currently has 69 approved symbols on their official schedule for political parties and candidates. Election officials plan to expand the list to more than 100 choices before the next general election begins. The law ministry will review and approve the updated symbol list before parties can make their final selections.
Another political group called Nagorik Oikya also tried to ditch their kettle symbol for the same water lily design. Party officials met with the Chief Election Commissioner on July 2 and submitted their symbol change request back in June. They wanted the water lily as their first pick and the national bird as their second choice. Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Mashud explained that his team made a firm policy decision against giving the water lily to any political party. He told reporters that national symbols carry special meaning and should stay off limits.
The commission currently has 69 approved symbols on their official schedule for political parties and candidates. Election officials plan to expand the list to more than 100 choices before the next general election begins. The law ministry will review and approve the updated symbol list before parties can make their final selections.
