The Awami League’s iconic ‘boat’ symbol has reappeared on the Election Commission (EC) website, despite the party’s registration currently being suspended. As of Thursday, July 17, the EC site lists “Awami League (registration suspended)” alongside the boat symbol once again.

Just a day earlier, on July 16, the symbol had been removed from the site following instructions from higher authorities, according to EC Secretariat Systems Manager Md. Rafiqul Haque. However, the EC clarified that no new decision had been made regarding the boat symbol. Their earlier stance still stands: the symbol will be removed only if the party is officially dissolved. But if a party’s registration is suspended or canceled, the symbol may be temporarily removed from the website, which could explain the recent changes.

Previously, on the night of July 15, Local Government Affairs Advisor Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan criticized the EC in a Facebook post, questioning the reinstatement of what he called the “cursed boat” symbol and why it was sent to the law ministry for re-inclusion in the election schedule.

He accused the EC of undermining the recent people’s uprising, asking whose agenda was being served by preserving the Awami League’s electoral symbol.

Following the popular uprising on August 5, 2024, which ended the Awami League’s 15-year rule, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and took refuge in India. On May 12, 2025, the government officially banned the Awami League and all its affiliated organizations. Subsequently, the Election Commission suspended the party’s registration.