After much discussion the Election Commission has officially added the Shapla Koli (Water Lily Bud) to its list of reserved election symbols.
The announcement came through a gazette notification issued by the EC on Thursday, signed by the commission鈥檚 senior secretary, Akhtar Ahmed.
According to the gazette, the decision was made under the authority granted by Article 94 of the 1972 Constitution.
The amendment modified the Election Conduct Rules, 2008, as part of a broader update to the regulations governing election symbols.
The notification said that sub-rule (1) of rule 9 has been replaced, allowing candidates鈥攕ubject to the availability of symbols and in accordance with clause 20鈥攖o be allocated any of the listed symbols, excluding those that are currently suspended.
Earlier, on Monday, EC secretary told reporters during a press briefing at the Election Commission headquarters in Agargaon that the water lily symbol could not be allotted to the National Citizen Party since it was not included in the EC鈥檚 official list.
He said that the commission would consider assigning an alternative symbol and issue a formal notification in due course.
With Thursday鈥檚 gazette, the water lily bud symbol is now officially recognised and included in the EC鈥檚 roster of reserved election symbols.
