National polls: 2,569 candidates from 51 parties file nominations

A total of 2,569 candidates from 51 political parties and as independents have submitted nomination papers for the 13th parliamentary election, which will be held for the first time in three decades without the Awami League.

Fifty-one registered political parties have submitted nominations, with an additional 478 independent candidates also filing papers. The total number of nominations is slightly lower than the 2,741 filed for the 2024 general election, which was boycotted by the BNP and its allies, and the 3,065 filed in 2018.

The highest number of nominations was collected by the BNP with 331, followed by Jamaat-e-Islami (276), Islami Andolon Bangladesh (268), and the Jatiya Party (Japa) (224). Gono Odhikar Parishad collected 104 nominations, while the NCP filed 44.

Infograph: TBS

Minor parties also filed nominations, with at least three, including the Bangladesh National Awami Party (Bangladesh NAP), submitting a single nomination paper. The Bangladesh Development Party submitted two nominations, and at least four parties, including the Bangladesh Jatiya Party, submitted three each.

The Awami League is not taking part in the election as it has had its registration suspended following the August 2024 uprising. Eight registered parties, including two partners of the now-suspended Awami League-led 14-Party Alliance, are not participating. 

The eight parties are: Bangladesh Samyabadi Dal (M-L); Krishak Sramik Janata League; Bangladesh National Awami Party; Workers Party of Bangladesh; Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh; Bangladesh Tariqat Federation; Trinamool BNP; and Bangladesh Nationalist Movement.

EC expresses satisfaction

The Election Commission (EC) has voiced satisfaction with the overall environment, noting that "most parties," including the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, the NCP, and the Jatiya Party, are participating and that the process has remained peaceful so far.

Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud commented after the close of the nomination period: "The overall situation is good. There have been no complications anywhere, and no complaints of code of conduct violations have been received. The submission of nominations has been quite peaceful."

He added, "Usually, there are minor scuffles, fights between two sides, and show-downs – none of that was observed this time."

Timeline

The EC confirmed the total number of nominations as 2,569, correcting an earlier figure of 2,582, which was cited due to discrepancies caused by some candidates filing papers with both the returning officers and the assistant returning officers.

The selection process is already underway, running from 30 December until 4 January 2026. Appeals against the Returning Officer's decisions can be filed from 5 to 9 January, with disposal set for 10 to 18 January.

The deadline for withdrawal of candidature is 20 January, while the final list of candidates and symbol allocation will be published on 21 January. Election campaigns will begin on 22 January and continue until the morning of 10 February. Voting is scheduled to take place on 12 February.

Abdul Alim, election analyst and director of the Electoral Working Group, noted that the two factions of the Jatiya Party are both contesting the election. While he acknowledged that early violent incidents had caused alarm, he stated that the law and order situation remains "under control." 

Alim cautioned the EC and the government to maintain a strong and effective monitoring system, warning that "if this vigilance weakens, the situation could quickly become complicated."