13th national election, referendum on 12 February; CEC urges voters to vote fearlessly
The CEC said the Election Commission is committed to carrying out its responsibilities with transparency, neutrality, and firmness
Highlights:
- Voting date – 12 February 2026
- Voting hours – 7:30am to 4:30pm
- Nomination filing deadline – 29 December
- Nomination paper scrutiny – from 30 December to 4 January
- Deadline for appeal against returning officer order – 11 January
- Appeal disposal period – 12 January to 18 January
- Nomination withdrawal deadline – 20 January
- Final candidates' list and symbol allotment – 21 January
- Campaign start and end dates – 22 January to 10 February
The 13th national election and the referendum on the July National Charter (Reform of Constitution) Implementation Order 2025 will be held on 12 February.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin announced the schedule in a pre-recorded address to the nation aired by Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar at 6pm today (11 December).
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Earlier, on 5 December, EC sources had indicated that the national election and the referendum were likely to be scheduled on a date between 8 and 12 February next year.
Voting will begin at 7:30am and end at 4:30pm, the CEC said in his address.
He announced that 29 December is the deadline for submitting nomination papers. Scrutiny of nomination papers will be conducted from 30 December to 4 January 2026.
The deadline for filing appeals with the Election Commission against decisions of returning officers is 11 January.
Appeals submitted to the commission will be disposed of between 12 January and 18 January, Nasir Uddin added.
The last date for withdrawing candidacy is 20 January, and the final list of candidates and allocation of election symbols will be published on the following day (21 January).
Candidates will be allowed to campaign from 22 January to 10 February.
The chief election commissioner expressed hope for a festive election marked by the enthusiastic participation of the people.
Nasir Uddin urged the voters to cast their votes in the national election and the referendum without any hesitation, rising above fears and limitations.
"Voting is not only your civic right but also a sacred trust and responsibility. I believe you will consciously carry out this responsibility. Exercise your right to vote without hesitation, rising above any fear, temptation, deception and limitations," he added.
He assured all that the institutions and forces concerned would work to ensure their safe and festive participation in the election.
He urged everyone, irrespective of religion, caste, group and gender, to participate in this "joyous event."
"Everyone, including the disabled, elderly and children of the family and expectant mothers, should come and vote. I hope that through your enthusiastic participation, the voting will turn into a festival event," he said.
The CEC said the Election Commission is committed to carrying out its responsibilities with transparency, neutrality, and firmness.
For officials who will be engaged in election duties, he said, "As part of the commission, you must perform your responsibilities with honesty, neutrality, and without fear. Remember, any laxity or negligence in this regard will not be tolerated."
Highlighting the vital role of the media and election observers in ensuring a fair and acceptable election, he added, "We expect you to carry out your duties with full independence, the highest level of professionalism, neutrality, and objectivity."
A total of 12.76 crore voters will have the opportunity to vote in more than 42,000 polling stations under the country's 300 constituencies in the upcoming general election.
The national election, along with a referendum, is going to be held for the first time in the history of Bangladesh elections, reports UNB.
This election is set to differ from previous general elections in several ways because the use of posters has been banned during the campaign, while digital campaigning and billboards are permitted.
Though the postal balloting system has been in the laws for a long time, it was never practised in the previous elections.
This is the first time the Election Commission has introduced an IT-supported hybrid postal balloting system, enabling expatriates, government staff, polling personnel, and persons who will be in the legal custody to exercise their franchise through a combination of digital registration and manual voting.
No general election was held under a non-political administration after 2008, as the last three parliamentary elections were held in 2014, 2018 and 2028 under the Awami League government. The 9th parliamentary election was held on December 29, 2008, under the army-backed caretaker government.
