The Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) has taken a significant step in reshaping the country’s political landscape. “After the suspension of the Awami League’s registration, the Election Commission (EC) today removed the party’s poll symbol ‘Boat’ from its website,” as reported.
“As of this morning, the EC website lists the Awami League as the sixth party under ‘registered political parties (registration suspended)’,” with “While the party’s ‘Boat’ symbol was still displayed next to its name yesterday, it was no longer visible this morning.” This move follows the interim government’s May ban on Awami League activities under the Anti-Terrorism Act, linked to ongoing trials at the International Crimes Tribunal.
The decision contradicts earlier EC statements. “Despite the suspension of the Awami League’s registration, Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud told reporters on Saturday that the ‘Boat’ symbol would remain on the list of election symbols,” stating, “Symbols are never banned. The ‘Boat’ symbol was allocated to a party, but the symbol belongs to the Election Commission.
When a symbol is allotted or allocated in the name of a party. The party hasn’t been dissolved. It still exists. Even if the party is dissolved, the symbol itself won’t be cancelled.” However, “Asked about this matter, Md Rafiqul Haque, system manager at the EC Secretariat, told The Daily Star this afternoon, ‘the Boat symbol has been removed following instructions from the higher authorities.’”
Pressure from the National Citizen Party (NCP) played a role. “Earlier, on July 12, a delegation from the National Citizen Party (NCP) met with the chief election commissioner (CEC) and demanded that the ‘Boat’ symbol be removed from the Election Commission’s list of election symbols.”
Local Government Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain criticized the EC, stating, “On what grounds did you send the cursed ‘Boat’ symbol to the Law Ministry for inclusion in the schedule again?”
With 50 registered parties and 69 electoral symbols, the EC’s proposed expansion to 115 symbols is under review, signaling further electoral reforms.