Permission required for social, religious events before electioneering: EC
Election campaigning will start on 22 January and continue till 48 hours before the balloting period.
The Election Commission (EC) has allowed the celebration of national and international days and arrangements of social and religious events during the pre-campaign period with prior permission or consent from the returning officers concerned.
The directive was issued through a circular released last night (14 December) to ensure the maintenance of a conducive electoral atmosphere during the pre-election period.
The circular mentions that the schedule for the 13th parliamentary election and the referendum was announced on 11 December and that the polls will be held on 12 February 2026.
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According to Section 18 of the Code of Conduct for Political Parties and Candidates in Parliamentary Elections Rule, 2025, electioneering can be conducted from three weeks before the polling day until 48 hours before the start of voting, subject to compliance with the prescribed conditions.
"Outside the stipulated campaign period, national and international days can be observed, as well as religious, social and similar events can be organised without hampering the electoral environment and in compliance with the code of conduct. However, prior consent or permission from the returning officer concerned must be obtained," says the circular signed by EC Deputy Secretary Mohammad Manir Hossain.
The election campaign will start on 22 January and continue till 48 hours before the balloting period (7:30am on February 10), according to the schedule announced by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin.
This circular was sent to all the 69 returning officers – Dhaka and Chattogram divisional commissioners, Dhaka, Chattogram and Khulna Regional Election Officers, and 64 district deputy commissioners.
Per the schedule, the deadline for submission of nomination papers is 29 December, while the scrutiny of nomination papers will take place from 30 December to 4 January. The last date for withdrawal of candidature is 20 January.
The last date for submission of appeals against decisions of returning officers is 11 January; the appeals are to be disposed of from 12 to 18 January. The returning officers will publish the final lists of candidates and allocate electoral symbols on 21 January.
The balloting will be held from 7:30am to 4:30pm without any break on 12 February.
