Dhaka, June 23 -- The National Citizen Party (NCP) has applied to use the "water lily" as its election symbol, saying no law prevents a party from choosing a national emblem already used in other contexts.

The party submitted its registration application to the Election Commission (EC) on Sunday, along with requests for three symbols: water lily, pen, and mobile phone.

Speaking outside the Nirbachan Bhaban, or Election Building, party Convenor Nahid Islam said: "Our first preference is the water lily. We believe it represents the people, the spirit of mass uprising, and rural Bangladesh.

"We hope to contest the next election with this symbol."

A separate political party has also requested the same symbol, but the NCP says the EC will ...