3,144 nomination papers collected nationwide, submission deadline tomorrow

The clock is ticking for candidates in the 13th National Parliamentary Election, as the Election Commission (EC) sets 5pm tomorrow (28 December) as the final deadline for collecting and submitting nomination papers. With just hours to go, the race to secure a place on the ballot has entered a tense, high-stakes phase.

As of 5pm today (28 December), the EC's Central Coordination Committee reported 3,144 nomination papers collected nationwide, though only 166 had been formally submitted. The Dhaka region led the pack with 596 submissions, while Sylhet lagged behind at 155.

All candidates must submit their papers along with certification from their party's president or general secretary. Independent candidates must clearly indicate their status on the form, a step designed to separate party-backed contenders from those going it alone. The EC has also limited the number of people present during submission to five, warning that any procession or public display of support will be treated as a violation of conduct.

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin said the EC will scrutinise submissions, handle appeals, and resolve objections after the deadline. The final date for withdrawal of candidacy is 20 January, followed by electoral symbol allocation on 21 January. Official campaigning will begin the next day and run until 10 February at 7:30am. Parties with multiple nominations in a constituency must finalise their candidate during the withdrawal period.

This election brings further changes: the EC has updated the Representation of the People Order (RPO), requiring candidates in alliances to contest under their own party symbols, instead of borrowing a larger party's emblem. The move has prompted reshuffling among major parties and alliances. Several leaders from smaller parties have joined the BNP to contest under its "rice sheaf" symbol, while Jamaat-e-Islami is stepping aside in select constituencies to accommodate alliance partners.

Meanwhile, disputes within the Jaitya Party over leadership and symbols remain in court. Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Mashud said, "Until the court rules, the EC cannot allocate the party symbol. Candidates may have to contest without a symbol, and if both factions submit papers, we will await the verdict."

Adding to the last-minute tension, a BNP delegation met the Chief Election Commissioner on the eve of the deadline to clarify procedural issues. BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan noted confusion over reporting income tax information for candidates' children, as many are not yet earning or filing taxes separately. "We have submitted a written request, and the commission has assured clarification," he said.