DHAKA, Oct 30, 2025 (BSS) - The Election Commission (EC) has updated the list of election symbols for registered political parties and independent candidates for the upcoming 13th Jatiya Sangsad (JS) election.

Four new symbols — including ‘Shapla Koli’ (water lily bud) — have been added to the previous list of 115, bringing the total number of symbols to 119.

A gazette notification, signed by Senior Secretary of the EC Secretariat Akhtar Ahmed, was published in this regard.

As per the gazette, any contesting candidate may be allocated any of the symbols, excepting the suspended ones. The symbol 'boat' was mentioned as suspended in the list.

EC sources said that 115 symbols had been listed on September 24. With the addition of four new ones, the total number of symbol now stands at 119.

According to EC officials, the amendments aim to modernize, diversify, and make the symbol allocation system more competitive. The additional symbols will be used if there is a shortage or when new registered parties require symbols.

The EC has also updated the full symbol list on its official website to ensure transparency and standardized allocation.

Additionally, in preparation for the upcoming national election, the EC plans to launch awareness campaigns focusing on symbol-based information. Once symbol allocation is finalized, candidates will be allowed to use their respective symbols for campaign.