Dhaka, Nov. 4 -- After prolonged debate and discussion, the Election Commission (EC) has allocated the "Shapla Koli", or water lily bud symbol to the National Citizen Party (NCP), granting the newly formed political group official registration.

At the same time, the EC has decided to register two other political parties: the Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal (Marxist), which has been given the "Scissors" symbol, and the Bangladesh Aam Jonogon Party, which has been allotted the "Handshake" symbol.

On Tuesday evening, the EC issued a public notice seeking objections, if any, to the registration and symbol allocation for the three parties.

It instructed that any objections, along with supporting documents, must be submitted to the secretary b...