The Election Commission (EC) had confirmed that the NCP had initially applied for ‘Shapla’, pen, or mobile phone but later revised the request and is adamant on getting ‘Shapla’ – the national flower and national emblem of Bangladesh – as an election symbol. It is relevant to point out that NCP had met the Chief Election Commissioner and other commissioners on July 13 to press for inclusion of ‘Shapla’ as an election symbol. The NCP argues that only the full National emblem design is restricted and not its individual components. Interestingly, EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed has stated that the NCP must pick its electoral symbol from the official list. To facilitate this, the commission will amend the symbol list under the Election Conduct Rules and send it to the law ministry for vetting soon.