Party symbols to be allocated today, with campaigning set to gather momentum from Thursday

The period for candidates to withdraw their nominations for the 13th National Parliament election has officially concluded. Today, the Election Commission (EC) will allocate symbols to the candidates, marking a crucial step in the lead-up to the polls. Once symbols are assigned, candidates are scheduled to launch their formal election campaigns from tomorrow, Thursday, 22 January.

According to the Election Commission’s circular regarding symbol allocation, “Following the deadline for withdrawal of candidacy, on 21 January, the list of competing candidates will be published along with the allocation of symbols.” This ensures transparency and allows voters to familiarise themselves with candidates and their designated election symbols before campaigning intensifies.

The EC’s roadmap also outlines that voting will take place on 12 February from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., without interruption. In addition to the parliamentary vote, a national referendum will be conducted on the same day, using a separate ballot paper.

To date, over 2,000 candidates have been officially confirmed in the valid lists for the upcoming election. With a voting population of approximately 127.7 million, the exercise will be conducted using transparent ballot papers, allowing citizens to exercise their franchise with confidence.

The Election Commission has further clarified that the final list of candidates will be arranged alphabetically in Bengali, ensuring an organised and accessible presentation for voters.

The following table summarises key details of the 13th National Parliament election:

The allocation of symbols is widely regarded as a symbolic and practical milestone, allowing candidates to consolidate campaign strategies and communicate their identity effectively to the electorate. As the countdown to the election continues, attention now turns to the intensity and scale of the campaigns that will unfold across the nation.