The National Citizen Party (NCP) has officially received its registration certificate from the Election Commission (EC), with the ‘Shapla Koli’ as electoral symbol.

Party Convener Nahid Islam collected the certificate from the EC headquarters in the capital on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters, Nahid expressed his support for the recent amendment to the Representation of the People Order (RPO) and strongly criticised efforts to undermine the reform, including attempts to challenge it in court.

He also urged the EC to maintain a firm stance on the proposal that “every party should contest the election with its own symbol.”

The NCP convener said after overcoming many challenges, the party has finally been allotted a symbol. “The NCP will contest the upcoming election with the Shapla Koli symbol.”

He alleged that a particular political party has been pressuring the government and various institutions to introduce a “one-symbol election” and is now trying to have the reform blocked through legal means.

Nahid has urged the EC to stay resolute on the matter.

He called on the EC to carefully verify all information provided in candidates’ affidavits and to enforce strict monitoring of election expenditures. “Strong action must be taken against those who distribute black money,” he said.

Commenting on the transfer of deputy commissioners and superintendents of police, the NCP convener claimed that political influence often shapes these decisions, which could ultimately impact the election environment.

About the referendum, he said unless the question is widely disseminated, accurate information will not reach the public.

Nahid also urged the EC to take special preventive measures against misinformation and false narratives during the election period.

The NCP was launched on 28 February this year by organisers of the July mass uprising, with Nahid and Akhter Hossen serving as convener and member secretary, respectively.