National polls: 2,582 aspirants submit nomination papers as deadline closes
Nomination submission was peaceful, EC Anwarul Islam Sarkar says
Highlights:
- 3,407 nominations were collected across 300 constituencies
- Lower filings this time than in 2018 and 2024 elections
- Dhaka tops with 444 nominations submitted
- Cumilla and Mymensingh follow with 365 and 311 submissions
- Nomination submission deadline closed at 5pm today
A total of 2,582 nomination papers have been submitted for the upcoming 13th parliamentary elections across the country's 300 constituencies, the Election Commission (EC) said today (29 December).
According to the EC's Central Coordination Committee, aspirants collected 3,407 nomination papers, of which 2,582 were ultimately filed.
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The number of nominations filed this time is lower than in the past two controversial elections. In the 2024 parliamentary polls, 2,713 nomination papers were submitted, while 3,095 were filed in the 2018 elections.
The submission deadline for nomination papers closed at 5pm today, with most candidates filing their papers on time.
EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed told reporters at the Election Bhaban in Dhaka's Agargaon this evening that the time for nomination submission would not be extended.
Political activity remained intense, but festive, throughout the day, with candidates from major parties and independents seen filing their papers at returning officers' offices across the country.
Election Commissioner Md Anwarul Islam Sarkar said that the nomination submission process, from the first day to the last, was largely peaceful.
Referring to past experiences, he told TBS, "In Bangladesh's electoral history, the days of nomination submission usually see various incidents, accidents, and deterioration in the law and order situation. Compared to that, this time the picture is much better. Despite minor incidents, overall there were no major problems."
He also said that compliance with the code of conduct during nomination submission was comparatively better this time. "In most cases, no more than five people were present at the time of submitting nomination papers. A large section of political parties complied with this requirement. In some places, there were exceptions at the beginning, but once instructions were given, everyone followed them," he said.
Dhaka records highest number of nominations, regional figures released
The highest number of nomination papers was collected in the Dhaka region, where 638 papers were taken in 41 constituencies across six districts; 444 of those were submitted.
In the Rangpur region, nomination papers were collected for 338 candidates across 33 constituencies in eight districts, of which 278 were submitted. In the Rajshahi region, 329 nomination papers were collected in 39 constituencies across eight districts, with 260 submissions.
In the Khulna region, 358 nomination papers were collected from 36 constituencies in 10 districts, while 276 were filed. The Barishal region saw 212 nomination papers collected and 166 submitted across 21 constituencies in six districts.
In the Faridpur region, candidates collected 165 nomination papers in 15 constituencies across five districts, of which 142 were submitted.
In the Mymensingh region, 402 nomination papers were collected in 38 constituencies across six districts, with 311 submissions. Sylhet region recorded 176 nomination papers collected in 19 constituencies across four districts, of which 146 were submitted.
Meanwhile, in the Cumilla region, 496 nomination papers were collected across 35 constituencies in six districts, and 365 were submitted. In the Chattogram region, candidates collected 293 nomination papers in 23 constituencies across five districts, with 194 submissions.
Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin on 11 December announced the schedule to hold the 13th parliament election and the referendum on the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order simultaneously on 12 February next.
According to the election schedule, the deadline for the submission of nomination paper is 29 December, while the scrutiny of nomination paper is on December 30-January 4 and the last date for the withdrawal of candidature is 20 January.
The election campaign will start on 22 January and continue till 48 hours before the balloting period (7:30am on 10 February).
This time the Commission appointed 69 returning officers –two divisional commissioners (Dhaka and Chattogram), three regional election officers (Dhaka, Chattogram and Khulna) and 64 district deputy commissioners.
The collection and submission of nomination papers started on 12 December, a day after the announcement of the election schedule.
BNP leaves 17 seats for allies
As BNP candidates submitted their nomination papers for the upcoming national parliamentary elections amid widespread enthusiasm across the country, the party has ceded 17 seats to partner parties, alliances and leaders of the movement against Awami League regime.
Of these, 12 seats have been allocated to nine partner parties of the movement. BNP will not field candidates in these constituencies in the next election. On the other hand, five leaders of the simultaneous movement have left their respective parties and joined BNP.
Nomination papers were collected on behalf of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia from Feni-1, Bogura-7 and Dinajpur-3 constituencies. Nominations were submitted on her behalf in all three seats today. However, if for any reason the BNP chairperson is unable to contest the election, alternative candidates are also being kept in these constituencies.
NCP submits nomination papers for 47 seats
The National Citizen Party (NCP) has submitted nomination papers for 47 constituencies, marking a formal step into the upcoming national elections.
NCP Convener Nahid Islam disclosed the information at an emergency press conference held this evening.
"We have entered into an electoral alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami to cross the electoral threshold, but the seat-sharing arrangement with the alliance has not yet been finalised," he said.
However, he also said that the exact number of seats to be contested under the alliance had not yet been finalised.
"That is why we have submitted nomination papers for 47 seats today," Nahid said.
No scope for being elected uncontested
There is no scope this time for being elected uncontested; if there is only a single candidate in a constituency, a 'No' vote will be added, Election Commissioner Md Anwarul Islam Sarker said.
He also mentioned that the EC has the authority to cancel not only a polling centre but, if necessary, the election of an entire constituency due to electoral irregularities.
