Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A.M.M. Nasir Uddin has announced the schedule for the 13th National Parliamentary Election and the referendum on implementing the National Charter declared in July. The polls will be held on 12 February. He made the announcement in a televised address to the nation on Thursday (11 December) at 6 p.m. The speech was broadcast simultaneously on Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar.

Key Points of the Election Schedule

• Last date for submission of nomination papers: 29 December

• Scrutiny of nomination papers: 30 December to 4 January

• Appeal submission: 11 January

• Appeal disposal: 12–18 January

• Last date for withdrawal of candidature: 20 January

• Symbol allocation: 21 January

• Campaign period: 22 January to 10 February, until 7:30 a.m.

• Polling day: 12 February, across all 300 parliamentary constituencies

The total number of registered voters for the upcoming election stands at 127,695,193. Expatriate Bangladeshis will also have the opportunity to vote via postal ballots.

Call to Political Parties and the Media

Addressing political parties and candidates, the CEC said:
“Let us uphold the code of conduct and ensure a peaceful, festive election. Earning the trust of voters should be your prime objective.”
He reiterated the Election Commission’s commitment to transparency and neutrality, warning that no negligence or misconduct will be tolerated. He also urged the media to maintain objectivity in their reporting.

Background

On 5 August last year, the Awami League government stepped down following a mass student-led uprising. Subsequently, on 8 August, an interim government headed by Professor Muhammad Yunus took oath. After 16 months under the interim administration, the Election Commission has now announced the schedule for the national election.

A day before the announcement, on Wednesday afternoon, the Chief Election Commissioner and other commissioners met President Md. Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban.