Bangladesh’s student-led National Citizen’s Party (NCP) threatens to boycott the 2026 polls over denial of the ‘Shapla’ election symbol, challenging the Election Commission’s authority amid rising political tensions under the interim government of Muhammad Yunus.
Bangladesh’s political landscape has once again become a battleground for symbols, legality, and legitimacy as the National Citizen’s Party (NCP) — a rising student-led political entity headed by Nahid Islam — has threatened to halt the upcoming February 2026 general elections. The party’s ultimatum stems from the Election Commission’s (EC) rejection of its request to use the ‘Shapla’ (Water Lily) — Bangladesh’s national flower and emblem — as its electoral symbol.
The Symbolic Standoff
The NCP’s insistence on the ‘Shapla’ symbol has escalated tensions with the Election Commission, which maintains that the symbol cannot be granted as it forms part of the national emblem. The EC has directed the party to select a symbol from a revised list of 50 alternatives by October 7. However, the NCP remains firm on its demand, rejecting the EC’s position as “arbitrary and inconsistent.”
NCP’s Chief Organiser, Sarjis Alam, took to social media to issue a warning:
“Since there’s no legal barrier, the NCP’s symbol must be the Shapla. There is no other option. Otherwise, we will also see how the elections take place and who dreams of gaining power and enjoying the spoils.”
This declaration followed a series of official correspondences and meetings between NCP leaders and the Election Commission. On September 24, NCP Convenor Nahid Islam sent an e-mail reiterating the demand for the Shapla symbol, despite earlier rejection.
Chronology of the Dispute
The NCP first applied for registration and symbol allocation on June 22, 2025, following a March 10 EC notification. Initially, the party had requested three symbols — Shapla, pen, or mobile phone — but later revised its application, insisting solely on Shapla.
The party claims that during a June 4 meeting at the EC office, an election official informally assured NCP representatives that the Shapla would be included in the final list. Subsequently, the EC not only rejected the request but also ruled on October 2 that Shapla is not a “scheduled symbol” under the Election Conduct Rules.
In its defense, the NCP cites Article 4(3) of the Bangladesh Constitution, along with the Bangladesh National Anthem, Flag, and Emblem Order (1972) and the National Emblem Rules (1972), arguing that only the complete emblem is legally restricted — not individual components like the Shapla flower.
Inconsistencies and Accusations
The NCP has accused the Election Commission of selective interpretation, pointing out that several officially approved symbols — including the paddy stalk, eagle, and balance scales — also appear in the insignia of national institutions such as the Bangladesh Police, Air Force, and Supreme Court.
NCP’s Joint Chief Coordinator Arifur Rahman Tuhin declared that the party would not accept any substitute for the Shapla, describing the Commission’s move as “an attempt to suppress a new voice of student-led reform.”
Broader Political Context
The Shapla controversy has revived memories of the May 2013 Shapla Square crackdown, a violent episode involving Islamist groups that shaped Bangladesh’s modern protest culture. The NCP, which emerged from the 2024 student movement, has demanded a fresh investigation into that event, arguing that it represents a broader struggle for democratic accountability.
Observers note that the NCP’s growing popularity among disaffected youth and its anti-Awami League rhetoric have brought it closer to hardline religious factions such as Hefazat-e-Islami (HeI) and Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI). This alignment, though unofficial, has made the ruling establishment wary of NCP’s political agenda.
EC’s Expanding Symbol List and Political Implications
The Election Commission recently expanded its official list of electoral symbols from 69 to 115, accommodating 50 registered parties and five suspended ones. The Commission also plans to revise the Election Conduct Rules and seek vetting from the law ministry before final publication. Interestingly, while there were calls to remove the Awami League’s ‘boat’ logo from the list, the EC has merely suspended it — not eliminated it.
The EC’s Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed reiterated that all parties must choose from the authorized list, stating, “No political symbol outside the scheduled list can be granted.”
NCP’s Larger Demands and Political Posturing
Beyond the symbol row, the NCP has demanded that a Constituent Assembly election be held before any parliamentary polls, followed by the drafting of a new constitution under the July Charter framework. This demand, if entertained, would significantly delay the 13th parliamentary elections scheduled for February 2026.
The NCP’s rhetoric reflects deep disillusionment with the current interim government led by Muhammad Yunus. The party accuses the administration of political manipulation under the guise of reform, pointing to controversial ordinances such as the Cyber Protection Act, the amendments to the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, and the Enforced Law Ordinance — all seen as tools of suppression.
A Clash Between Idealism and Institutional Control
Bangladesh’s electoral politics remains dominated by the Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Against this backdrop, the NCP represents a new, student-driven attempt to challenge the duopoly of power. Yet, its hardline stance over the Shapla symbol risks alienating moderates and provoking institutional backlash.
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While the Yunus-led government is accused of indulging NCP for political convenience, critics argue that this alliance is neither rooted in national interest nor in a vision for democratic governance. Instead, it appears to be a calculated ploy to weaponize student energy for political leverage — potentially destabilizing an already fragile democracy.
As the October 7 deadline approaches, the NCP’s decision — whether to compromise or escalate — will determine not only its political fate but also the trajectory of Bangladesh’s 2026 elections.
