More than 2,500 aspirant candidates filed nomination papers over two days, formally setting Bangladesh on course for its 13th parliamentary election, scheduled for 12 February next year. Despite a bone-chilling winter cold wave gripping the country, the nomination process unfolded amid scenes of festivity, marking a key procedural milestone in what is widely viewed as a consequential election following years of disputed polls.
According to the Election Commission (EC), at least 2,582 aspirants submitted nomination papers during the stipulated two-day period. Of them, 166 candidates filed nominations on Sunday, the first day, while the remaining 2,416 aspirants submitted papers on Monday, the final day.
Candidates braved freezing temperatures to submit their documents to 69 returning officers nationwide. These included the divisional commissioners of Dhaka and Chattogram, regional election officers in Dhaka, Chattogram and Khulna, and 64 district deputy commissioners acting as returning officers.
Regional spread of candidates
EC data shows a wide regional distribution of aspirants. Dhaka region recorded the highest number with 444 candidates, followed by Cumilla with 365, Mymensingh with 311, Rangpur with 278, Khulna with 276, and Rajshahi with 260. Other regions included Chattogram (194), Barishal (166), Sylhet (146) and Faridpur (142).
When asked about party-wise breakdowns, EC’s National Identity Registration Wing Director General ASM Humayun Kabir said the commission was yet to finalise constituency- and party-based figures.
“We do not want to provide any incorrect information. For this reason, the details will be released tomorrow,” he told TIMES of Bangladesh.
BNP–Jamaat contest dominates
In the absence of deposed Awami League, whose political activities were banned by the interim government following last year’s July uprising, the election is expected to be contested mainly between the alliances led by BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami. Voters are anticipating a contest symbolised by the paddy sheaf and the weighing scale.
BNP chairperson and former three-time prime minister Khaleda Zia filed nomination papers for three constituencies—Bogura-7, Feni-1 and Dinajpur-3. Critically ill, she submitted her nominations using a thumb impression.
In Feni-1, Khaleda Zia will face Jamaat-backed candidate SM Kamal Uddin. BNP’s Dhaka south city unit convener Rafiqul Alam Majnu has also submitted nomination paper in this constituency. In Bogura-7, she is set to contest against a Jamaat candidate, while BNP’s Bogura district president Morshed Alam has also filed nomination in the same seat. In Dinajpur-3, Jamaat candidate Moynul Alam and BNP leader Syed Jahangir Alam have entered the race.
Tarique Rahman, Jamaat leaders join fray
BNP’s de facto leader Tarique Rahman, who returned to Bangladesh after 17 years in exile, is contesting from two constituencies—Dhaka-17 and Bogura-6. Jamaat candidates SM Khaliduzzaman and Abidur Rahman will be his principal rivals in those seats respectively.
Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has filed nomination for Dhaka-15, where he will face Dhaka city Jubo Dal leader Shafiqul Islam Khan Milton.
Jatiya Party chairman GM Quader will contest from Rangpur-3, with Jamaat candidate Mahbubur Rahman as his main rival.
NCP convener Nahid Islam, one of the key figures of the July uprising, is contesting from Dhaka-11. BNP candidate MA Qayum is running in the constituency, while the Jamaat-backed candidate has withdrawn.
Yunus pledges credible polls
Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on Monday reaffirmed his government’s commitment to holding a free, fair and peaceful election, saying all preparations were in place.
“We are fully prepared,” Yunus said while receiving US Chargé d’Affaires Tracey Ann Jacobson, who paid a farewell call on him at his official Jamuna residence.
He warned that any attempt to disrupt peace ahead of the elections would be dealt with firmly, adding that the government was also preparing to successfully conduct the referendum alongside the parliamentary polls.
Voter statistics and timeline
According to the EC, a total of 127,695,185 voters are eligible to cast ballots at 42,761 polling centres across the country. Of them, 64,814,908 are male, 62,879,043 female, and 1,234 are third gender (Hijra) voters.
As of Monday night, around one million voters had registered through the “Postal Vote BD” app, EC data shows.
Under the election schedule, scrutiny of nomination papers will take place from 30 December to 4 January, while the deadline for withdrawal is 20 January. The period for filing appeals against returning officers’ decisions runs from January 5 to January 9, with hearings scheduled between January 10 and January 18. The final list of candidates will be published on 21 January, with campaigning set to begin on 22 January and continue until 7:30am on 10 February.
