Election Commission (EC) has formally declared candidates will be barred from seeking election from over three constituencies concurrently in the forthcoming 13th National Parliament Election.
According to a notification issued by the EC Secretariat, it stated, “Article 13A of the Representation of the People Order (RPO), 1972 stipulated that if any individual files nomination papers from more than three constituencies simultaneously, all of his or her nomination papers shall be deemed invalid.”
The regulatory circular further clarified eligibility criteria, specifying that individuals occupying any “office of profit” under the state are prohibited from contesting the general election.
Any full-time role within the Republic or in an entity governed by the state will be classified as an office of profit, rendering the office-holder ineligible for candidacy, it noted.
EC delineated that this restriction encompasses a broad range of public positions.
Consequently, chairmen of Upazila Parishads, Zila Parishads and Union Parishads; Mayors of City Corporations and Pourasavas; responsible officials of various government, autonomous, semi-autonomous or government-funded offices, institutions, corporations or authorities; and individuals engaged on contract at Bangladesh missions abroad must resign from their posts in accordance with rules if they wish to contest in the polls.
In addition to candidacy rules, the EC directive elaborated on protocols for campaign finance management. It underscored that, as per Article 44A of the RPO, 1972, every election agent, or the candidate personally in the absence of an agent, is mandated to establish a distinct bank account with a scheduled bank.
All electoral expenditures, excluding personal costs, are required to be channeled through this dedicated account.
Adhering to the Election Conduct Rules, 2025, nominees must furnish details of their anticipated election expense sources using Form-20, alongside a comprehensive declaration of assets, liabilities, and yearly income and expenditure in Form-21, at the time of submitting their nomination papers.
