Supporters allowed to submit nomination papers on candidates' behalf: EC
Candidates, their election agents, proposers, supporters and other authorised persons may be present during scrutiny. Nomination papers cannot be rejected for minor errors.
Supporters and proposers may submit nomination papers on behalf of candidates for the 13th National Parliament Election, according to a circular issued by the Election Commission (EC).
The clarification was provided in a circular signed yesterday (12 December) by Mohammad Monir Hossain, deputy secretary of the EC Secretariat, outlining procedures for submitting, scrutinising and withdrawing nomination papers in line with the announced election schedule.
Under the Representation of the People Order, 1972, and Article 66 of the Constitution, eligible candidates may submit nomination papers (Form-1) directly to the Returning Officer or Assistant Returning Officer.
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In addition to the candidate, the proposer or supporter may also submit the papers on the candidate's behalf.
The EC said Circular-2 sets out detailed rules on nomination submission, scrutiny, security deposits and withdrawal of candidacy for the election.
According to the schedule, 29 December has been fixed as the final date for submitting nomination papers. Papers may be submitted on any day up to and including that date between 9am and 5pm. No nomination papers will be accepted after 5pm on 29 December.
When a nomination paper is accepted, it must be assigned a serial number—marked "RO" for the Returning Officer's office and "ARO" for the Assistant Returning Officer's office.
The person submitting the paper must immediately receive an acknowledgement receipt and a notice specifying the date, time and place of scrutiny.
Security deposit and proposer-supporter rules
Each candidate must submit a security deposit of Tk50,000 at the time of nomination, either in cash, bank draft, pay order or through a treasury chalan in favour of the EC.
If multiple nomination papers are submitted for the same candidate, only one security deposit is required.
Attested copies of the original chalan (deposit receipt) must be attached to the additional nomination papers.
The deposit must be made to Bangladesh Bank or any bank or government treasury under the specified code: 1090302101443-8113501.
The proposer or supporter must be a registered voter of the relevant constituency and must not have signed as a proposer or supporter for any other candidate.
Party nominations and withdrawal
For candidates nominated by political parties, a certificate signed by the party president, general secretary or an equivalent office bearer must be submitted with the nomination paper.
If a registered political party nominates more than one candidate in a constituency, the party must inform the Returning Officer of its final nominee by 5pm on 20 January through a written letter signed by the party president or general secretary.
The candidacies of the other nominees will then be considered suspended.
Any validly nominated candidate may withdraw their candidacy within the stipulated time by submitting a signed written notice to the Returning Officer, either personally or through a legally authorised representative.
Once submitted, a withdrawal notice or final party nomination cannot be revoked.
Scrutiny, appeal and verification
Returning Officers will scrutinise nomination papers in accordance with Article 14 of the Representation of the People Order, 1972.
Candidates, their election agents, proposers, supporters and other authorised persons may be present during scrutiny.
Nomination papers cannot be rejected for minor errors. If an error can be corrected immediately, it must be rectified by the person submitting the paper. However, information contained in affidavits cannot be altered.
Nomination papers will not be rejected solely due to discrepancies between the candidate's details and the voter list.
In such cases, verification may be done using SSC certificates or other recognised identity documents.
Aggrieved candidates, banks or financial institutions may appeal decisions on acceptance or rejection of nomination papers between 5 January and 5pm on 11 January. The Election Commission will dispose of appeals between 12 and 18 January.
Information on loan default status must be sent to the Credit Information Bureau of Bangladesh Bank in the prescribed format for verification.
In addition, undertakings must be submitted with nomination papers by political parties and candidates, as specified under the Code of Conduct for Political Parties and Candidates in Parliamentary Elections, 2025.
