Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami nominated Md Abdul Haque has returned to the electoral race in Dhaka-2 constituency as the Election Commission on Tuesday granted his appeal against the decision of the returning officer who turned down his nomination paper during the scrutiny.

The Commission, chaired by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, heard the petition filed by Abdul Haque and announced its decision that reinstated his candidacy in Dhaka-2.

With the EC’s decision, Abdul Haque, also the Chairman of the Retired Armed Forces Officers Welfare Association (RAOWA), will contest with BNP candidate Amanullah Aman and Islami Andolan Bangladesh contestant Jahirul Islam from the constituency in the 13th parliamentary election scheduled for February 12 next.

A total of 2,568 aspirants submitted nomination papers to run the upcoming national election from the country’s 300 constituencies within the December-29 deadline.

Later, the returning officers declared 1,842 nomination papers valid, while 723 others invalid during the scrutiny.

Challenging the decisions of the returning officers over acceptance and cancellation of the nomination papers, aggrieved persons submitted a total of 645 appeals with the Election Commission that acts as the Electoral Appeal Tribunal.

The Commission started hearing and disposal of the petitions on Saturday last and will continue till January 18.

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The Election Commission on December 11 announced the polls schedule to arrange the 13th parliamentary election and the referendum on the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order simultaneously on February 12, 2026.

According to the schedule, the late date for withdrawal of candidature is January 20. The election campaign will start on January 22 and continue till (7:30am on February 10) 48 hours before the balloting period.