Symbol Allocation Ends; Official Election Campaign Begins Tomorrow

The stage is set for Bangladesh’s monumental 13th National Parliamentary Election as the Election Commission (EC) concluded the allocation of symbols to candidates across the nation on Wednesday. This administrative milestone clears the way for a high-octane campaign period, with nearly two thousand candidates authorised to begin canvassing for votes starting Thursday morning.

The Numbers Behind the Ballot

According to official figures released by the Election Commission, a total of 1,973 candidates are now officially in the fray across 298 constituencies. The allocation process was conducted by Returning Officers in their respective districts from early morning until the 5:00 PM deadline on Wednesday.

Md. Ruhul Amin Mallik, Director of Public Relations at the EC Secretariat, confirmed that the finalised lists (Form-5) are being submitted to the central commission. This data is critical for the next logistical phase: the printing of ballot papers, which is expected to commence this Thursday.

13th National Election: At a Glance

Strict Guidelines for Candidates

Under the Political Parties and Candidates Code of Conduct 2025, the Election Commission has laid down stringent rules for the upcoming weeks. Candidates and their supporters are strictly prohibited from launching any form of campaign more than three weeks before the polling day. Furthermore, all electioneering must reach a mandatory standstill 48 hours prior to the commencement of voting.

The upcoming campaign window is expected to be intense but brief. With polling scheduled for 12 February 2026, candidates have roughly three weeks to reach millions of voters across the delta nation.

The Road to the Polls

The journey to this stage has been marked by rigorous scrutiny and legal appeals. Out of the initial 2,580 nomination papers submitted, 725 were initially rejected. However, a robust appeal process saw 437 candidates regain their eligibility. Following the final withdrawal deadline on Tuesday, where 305 individuals opted out of the race, the final roster of 1,973 contenders was established.

This election, famously announced by Chief Election Commissioner A.M.M. Nasir Uddin on 11 December 2025, will also incorporate a national referendum. Voting will take place from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM without interruption, using traditional paper ballots—a method the commission promises will ensure transparency through the use of clear ballot boxes.

As the sun rises on Thursday, the silence of the pre-election period will be broken by the slogans and processions of a nation preparing to decide its future at the ballot box.