Electoral symbols for the upcoming municipality polls were not meant to discriminate against women rather it was done hurriedly, the Election Commission secretary said today.

"The symbols were selected within a very short time," Sirajul Islam told reporters at EC Secretariat office.

The EC secretary came up with the remark while talking to reporters after a six-member delegation of Jatiyatabadi Mahila Dal submitted a written statement to the EC protesting the symbols.

In the written statement, the BNP's women wing termed the symbols "humiliating" and urged the commission for a revised allocation.

The delegation led by Shirin Sultana, general secretary of Jatiyatabadi Mahila Dal, went to the EC Secretariat around 11:00am.

The EC designated different 'discriminatory' symbols like gas stove, bangles, frocks and dolls as election symbols for reserved women candidates in the December 30 municipality elections.

The municipality elections are scheduled to be held on December 30.