Current environment conducive to free, fair polls: CEC

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin has said the overall environment is satisfactory for holding the 13th national election in a free and fair manner.

He made the remarks today (5 January) after visiting the appeal booths at the Election Commission (EC) building in Agargaon, Dhaka, where the appeal process against decisions on the scrutiny of nomination papers has begun.

The CEC said with the cooperation of all stakeholders, it would be possible to deliver a free and fair national election.

Meanwhile, candidates have started filing appeals with the Election Commission from today against decisions made by returning officers. The appeal submission process will continue until 9 January. Hearings on the appeals will be held in phases at the EC auditorium in Agargaon from 10 January.

According to the EC, any aggrieved candidate, bank, or financial institution may file an appeal with the Election Commission within five days against a returning officer's decision to accept or reject a nomination paper. Appeals must be submitted in the form of a memorandum, along with one set of original documents and six sets of photocopies.

To facilitate the appeal process, the Election Commission has divided the country into 10 regions and set up separate booths:

• Rangpur region: Booth-1 (Seats 1–33)

• Rajshahi region: Booth-2 (Seats 34–72)

• Khulna region: Booth-3 (Seats 73–108)

• Barishal region: Booth-4 (Seats 109–129)

• Mymensingh region: Booth-5 (Seats 130–167)

• Dhaka region: Booth-6 (Seats 168–208)

• Faridpur region: Booth-7 (Seats 209–223)

• Sylhet region: Booth-8 (Seats 224–242)

• Cumilla region: Booth-9 (Seats 243–277)

• Chattogram region: Booth-10 (Seats 278–300)

Hearings will be conducted daily from 10am from 10 January to 18 January, though the timeline may be adjusted depending on the situation and number of appeals. During hearings, the concerned returning officer or their representative and the appellant must be present with all necessary documents.

According to the revised election schedule, following the appeal hearings ending on 18 January, the deadline for withdrawal of candidacy is 20 January. Final candidate lists will be published and electoral symbols allocated on 21 January. Election campaigning will begin on 22 January and continue until 7:30am on 10 February.

Voting and counting will be held on 12 February, from 7:30am to 4:30pm.