The regulatory landscape for Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliamentary Election reached a definitive milestone on Wednesday, as the Election Commission (EC) concluded the allocation of electoral symbols to 1,973 candidates. This procedural finalisation serves as the official “green light” for contestants across 298 constituencies to launch their public campaigns, beginning Thursday morning.
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Finalising the Field
From dawn until the 5:00 PM deadline, Returning Officers across the country meticulously assigned symbols—ranging from traditional party icons like the “Sheaf of Paddy” to independent marks like the “Kettle”—to the verified contenders. Md. Ruhul Amin Mallik, the EC Secretariat’s Director of Public Relations, confirmed that the commission is now moving immediately into the production phase.
“With the symbols assigned, the Returning Officers are now submitting Form-5, the final list of candidates, to the EC,” Mallik explained. “These lists are the blueprints for our ballot papers, the printing of which is scheduled to commence on Thursday, 22 January.”
Electoral Roadmap: The 13th National Assembly
| Stage of Process | Data / Key Date |
| Total Nomination Papers Filed | 2,580 |
| Valid Candidates (Post-Appeal) | 1,973 |
| Voluntary Withdrawals | 305 |
| Official Campaign Launch | 22 January 2026 |
| Campaign Cessation | 10 February 2026 (8:00 AM) |
| Polling Day & Time | 12 February (07:30–16:30) |
Strict Codes of Conduct
Under the Code of Conduct for Political Parties and Candidates 2025, the Election Commission has mandated a disciplined canvassing window. No candidate or registered party is permitted to initiate public electioneering earlier than three weeks before the vote. To ensure a “cooling-off” period, all rallies, processions, and digital campaigning must cease 48 hours before the polls open.
The road to this week’s final list was paved with significant legal activity. Initially, 725 nominations were disqualified during the scrutiny phase. However, following a robust hearing process, 437 candidates successfully appealed their rejections and were reinstated, underscoring the high stakes of this particular electoral cycle.
Transparent Balloting
Chief Election Commissioner A.M.M. Nasir Uddin, who initially outlined the election schedule in a televised address on 11 December 2025, has emphasised that this election will rely on traditional paper ballots. These will be cast into transparent ballot boxes to ensure maximum public confidence in the integrity of the count.
As the clock strikes midnight, the quietude of the administrative phase ends, and the vibrant, often boisterous reality of Bangladeshi street politics begins. Candidates now have exactly 20 days to win the hearts and minds of the electorate before the nation heads to the polls on Thursday, 12 February.