[🇧🇩] Forming Election Commission/Conducting Elections

[Saif]

Comprehensive preparations underway to ensure free, fair polls: Home Adviser

Home Affairs Adviser Lt. Gen. (Retd) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has said comprehensive preparations are in progress to ensure that the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election is conducted in a fair, peaceful and festive environment. He made the remarks on Wednesday afternoon following a v

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Comprehensive preparations underway to ensure free, fair polls: Home Adviser

Published :
Dec 10, 2025 22:53
Updated :
Dec 10, 2025 22:53

Home Affairs Adviser Lt. Gen. (Retd) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has said comprehensive preparations are in progress to ensure that the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election is conducted in a fair, peaceful and festive environment.

He made the remarks on Wednesday afternoon following a views-exchange meeting with officials from various administrative sectors on law and order, agricultural production, fertilizer and seed supply and irrigation management. The meeting was held at the conference room of the Narsingdi Deputy Commissioner's office, BSS reports.

The adviser said the upcoming election will see a larger deployment of law enforcement personnel compared to previous polls to help ensure a level playing field.

"Elections depend on the people -- on the voters. No one will be able to stop voters from participating spontaneously. Elections are conducted with the cooperation of the Election Commission, political parties, administration and law enforcement agencies. Journalists also play an important role," he added.

He urged journalists to continue investigative reporting and to work actively against corruption, encouraging them to report any irregularities -- even if they involve him or his relatives.

Earlier in the day, the Home Affairs Adviser visited the Narsingdi District Jail and Police Lines.

Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Anwar Hossain, Superintendent of Police Abdullah Al Farruk and other senior officials were present.​

 

[Saif]

This time women will decide the election outcome

The July mass uprising demonstrated that women’s role is not limited to participation alone; they are also agents of decision-making. Their courageous roles deserve far greater visibility. Election-centred politics in Bangladesh is typically defined by muscle power, money, and dynastic...

en.prothomalo.com

This time women will decide the election outcome
Political parties constantly speak of a “new settlement”, but nothing about their actions reflects anything truly new.

Samina Luthfa
Published: 09 Dec 2025, 13: 49

The July mass uprising demonstrated that women’s role is not limited to participation alone; they are also agents of decision-making. Their courageous roles deserve far greater visibility.

Election-centred politics in Bangladesh is typically defined by muscle power, money, and dynastic inheritance. Women candidates can play a crucial role in breaking through these entrenched patterns. This required genuine political will to bring forth women’s leadership; yet this is precisely where we have been most disappointed.

Political parties constantly speak of a “new settlement”, but nothing about their actions reflects anything truly new.

Women are the “silent” majority of voters. In this election, their votes will be decisive. I believe middle-class, educated women in particular will judge parties and candidates by their actions before casting their ballots.

The government’s failure over the past 15 months to ensure women’s safety will, in my view, also affect the election. Still, if a secure voting environment is not guaranteed, women may hesitate to go to the polls.

On the other hand, if they fear facing even greater forms of repression for not voting, they may decide to cast their ballots nonetheless. Conversely, groups that believe women’s votes will go against them may try to confine women to their homes.

We have already seen such attempts over the past 15–16 months; restrictions on women’s mobility, harassment, and moral policing, all of which indicate efforts to prevent women from stepping out to vote.

My expectation is that voters will choose the party that stands with women and prioritises their rights, moving beyond muscle power and displays of wealth. And my call to the government is this: create an environment in which every voter, especially the women, can cast their ballot freely and without fear.

*Samina Luthfa, professor, Department of Sociology, University of Dhaka​

 

[Saif]

National election on 12 February

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin announced the schedule in a televised address on Thursday.

en.prothomalo.com

National election on 12 February
Staff Correspondent Dhaka
Updated: 11 Dec 2025, 18: 43

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin addresses the nation on Thursday evening. Screengrab from television

The 13th national parliamentary election will be held on 12 February next year.

A referendum on implementing the July National Charter will take place on the same day.

Voting will run continuously from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin announced the schedule in a televised address on Thursday evening.

According to the announced schedule, the deadline for submitting nomination papers for the parliamentary election is 29 December.

Scrutiny of nomination papers will take place from 30 December to 4 January. Appeals against decisions made by returning officers must be filed by 11 January, and appeals will be disposed of between 12 and 18 January.

The last date for withdrawing candidacy is 20 January.

Election symbols will be allocated on 21 January. Campaigning will begin on 22 January and end at 7:30 a.m. on 10 February. Voting in all 300 constituencies across the country will be held on 12 February.

More than 127.6 million voters are eligible to cast their ballots in this election. Bangladeshi expatriates will also be able to vote by postal ballot, and over 300,000 have registered so far.

In the face of the student–public uprising, the Awami League government fell on 5 August last year. On 8 August, the interim government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus was formed. Sixteen months after the interim government took office, the Election Commission is going to announced the national election schedule.

Initially, some parties, including the BNP, had demanded that the national election be held by December last year. On 6 June, in an address to the nation, chief adviser professor Muhammad Yunus stated that the election would take place in the first half of April 2026. Later, on 13 June, BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman met with the chief adviser in London, United Kingdom.

In the London meeting, the two sides agreed that the national election would be held in the first half of February 2026. Since then, the government has repeatedly stated that the election will take place in early February, and the election commission is preparing accordingly.

On 13 November, the chief adviser announced that the referendum on implementing the July national charter and the national parliamentary election would be held on the same day in the first half of February. Today, in an address to the nation, the chief election commissioner announced the dates for both votes.

Only political parties registered with the Election Commission (EC) can contest the national parliamentary election with party symbols. At present, 56 parties are registered with the EC. Among them, the Awami League’s registration has been suspended due to its political activities being prohibited. A party with a suspended registration cannot take part in the election. All other registered parties will be eligible to participate.

Aside from party-nominated candidates, any individual who meets the eligibility requirements may contest as an independent candidate.

After the fall of the Awami League government, a new Election Commission was formed on 21 November last year under the leadership of AMM Nasir Uddin. The upcoming election will be the first to be held under this commission. This time, the national parliamentary election and the referendum are being held on the same day, and the Election Commission sees the timing of the two votes as a challenge.

To manage time, the Election Commission has decided to extend polling by one hour this time. Continuous voting will take place from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm. In addition, the number of secret voting booths at polling stations will also be increased.

In the meantime, maintaining law and order during the election is also being seen as a challenge. The government has already stated that after the schedule is announced, all forces responsible for law and order, including the armed forces, will work to ensure a secured electoral environment.

Nearly 900,000 members of the armed forces and other law enforcement agencies will be deployed, the highest number ever. To conduct a fair election, a record 150,000 police officers have already received election training.​

 

[Saif]

'After historic uprising, country now moving toward a new path'

Chief Adviser Yunus congratulates EC for election schedule

www.thedailystar.net

After historic uprising, country now moving toward a new path'
Chief Adviser Yunus congratulates EC for election schedule

File Photo: CA's Press Wing

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has extended greetings and congratulations to the Election Commission following the announcement of schedule for the 13th National Parliamentary Election and the referendum on the July National Charter.

In a message, Yunus described the announcement as a significant milestone in Bangladesh's democratic journey.

"After the historic mass uprising, the country is now moving toward a new path. This election and referendum will consolidate that trajectory, prioritise the will of the people, and further strengthen the foundation of a new Bangladesh," he said.

He expressed confidence that the Election Commission would fulfil its constitutional responsibilities independently, impartially, and with professionalism.

He added that the interim government would provide all necessary assistance to ensure the election and referendum are conducted in a festive, participatory, and fair manner.

Calling upon political parties, candidates, media, civil society, and citizens, Yunus urged that the election and referendum be embraced as initiatives of national unity.

He stressed that respect for differing opinions, peaceful conduct, and democratic behaviour would help stabilise the country.

"Bangladesh now stands at the threshold of a new future. Through your active participation and responsible conduct, we will succeed in building a modern, just, and prosperous state -- this is my firm conviction," Yunus said.​