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two options -- either cancel symbols like Dhan (paddy), Tara (star), and Sonali Aash (golden fibre) or allocate Shapla. We do not want the symbols of any fraternal political parties to be cancelled.”

At the meeting, the NCP leaders sought the EC’s explanation for not giving them the Shapla symbol.

The party will continue its fight for the Shapla symbol through democratic means.

“The election will not be halted over the issue of a symbol. But if someone is trying to stop the election by denying us the symbol and our rights, we will not compromise on that right.”

Some influence or force may be affecting the EC, or perhaps they are planning a new election-related conspiracy by keeping the issue of the Shapla symbol unresolved, he said.

“This will become clear to the nation within this month, and we will wait until then,” he added.

At the meeting, the three-member NCP delegation also discussed the issue of voting rights for expatriates.

NCP leader Zahirul Islam Musa, referring to delays in launching the expatriate voter app, said: “Expatriates are eager to vote. We urged the EC to explain why the app launch is being delayed. Such apps typically require trial and error phases, but we are concerned that the EC is heading in a direction where a significant portion of expatriate voters might be deliberately excluded.”

The EC informed the NCP delegation that they plan to launch the app within October, he added.