Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin on Thursday said the 13th parliamentary election will not be a “stage-managed” one like previous polls.

“Unlike before, there will be no staged election this time. A level playing field will be ensured for everyone,” he said.

CEC Nasir urges voters to vote fearlessly

The CEC made the remarks after inspecting 10 booths set up at the Election Commission premises in the city’s Agargaon area to receive appeal petitions from aggrieved aspirants challenging the decisions of returning officers.

He said the Election Commission believes in justice and fairness. “Everyone will receive fair treatment,” the CEC added.

A total of around 300 appeal petitions were filed against decisions on nomination papers during the first three days until Wednesday. The Commission will continue receiving appeals until Friday (January 9).

The appeals will be heard and disposed of between January 10 and 18.

Earlier, returning officers declared 1,842 nomination papers valid and rejected 723 others across the country’s 300 constituencies during the scrutiny conducted from December 30 to January 4.

On December 12, the Election Commission announced the schedule for holding the 13th national parliamentary election alongside the referendum on the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order on February 12, 2026.

The last date for withdrawal of candidatures is January 20. Election campaigning will begin on January 22 and continue until 48 hours before polling, which starts at 7:30am on February 10.

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