Chattogram, Oct. 12 -- Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin has expressed optimism that the Nationalist Citizen Party (NCP) will not stand in the way of the country's democratic transition, despite the ongoing dispute over the allocation of the 'Water Lily' (Shapla) election symbol.

Talking to journalists after a closed-door meeting at the Circuit House in Chattogram on Sunday, the CEC said that the NCP leadership understands the legal limitations of the Election Commission regarding the allocation of symbols.

"When a political party is registered, it must choose from the list of approved symbols. Since 'Shapla' is not on our approved list of symbols, we could not allocate it. So far, no symbol has been given outside the ex...