The Election Commission (EC) has allowed the celebration of the national and international days and arrangements of social and religious events during pre-campaign period with prior permission or consent from the returning officers concerned.
The directive was issued through a circular released on Sunday night (December 14, 2025) 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 December 11, 2025, and the polls will be held on February 12, 2026.
According to the Section 18 of the Code of Conduct for Political Parties and Candidates in Parliamentary Elections Rule, 2025, the electioneering can be conducted from three weeks before the polling day until 48 hours prior to the start of voting, subject to compliance with the prescribed conditions.
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“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 Monir Hossain.
The election campaign will start on January 22 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.
As per the schedule, the deadline for the submission of nomination paper is December 29, while the scrutiny of nomination paper is on December 30-January 4 and the last date for the withdrawal of candidature is January 20.
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The last date for submission of appeal against the decisions of the returning officers is January 11 and the appeals would be disposed of on January 12-18. The returning officers will publish the final lists of candidates and allocate electoral symbols on January 21.
The balloting will be held from 7:30am to 4:30pm without any break on February 12.