United News of Bangladesh

BNP on Sunday alleged that an unusually large number of voters had been migrated to certain constituencies in Dhaka city and other parts of the country, and demanded constituency-wise data on voter migration from the Election Commission. The allegation came as a BNP delegation, led by Election Steering Committee Chairman Nazrul Islam Khan, met Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at Nirbachan Bhaban in the city. “A large number of voters migrated to some specific constituencies, which is unusual,” said Nazrul Islam Khan while briefing reporters after the meeting. In response, the EC told them the number of migrated voters to each constituency is not more than 2000-3000, he said. The BNP leader said they are not happy with the EC’s reply as the number is not true and the EC was not provided with exact data from the department concerned. “We think they were not provided with untrue information. In fact the number of migrated voters is so high…. We demanded for the constituency-wise migration.” Nazrul Islam Khan alleged that leaders and activists of a particular party are carrying out campaigns using the sentiments of religious belief which is a clear violation of the Representation of the People Order. “Someone of a party was heard telling that a Muslim would have to answer the 4th question in the grave if he or she casts votes for a specific symbol. They are doing this using religious belief and sentiment, which is a clear violation of RPO,” Nazrul Islam added. He said BNP also raised objections over reports that BNCC cadets might be engaged in election duties. “We’ve heard that BNCC cadets, who are students, may be involved in election work for the first time. We told the Commission that involving young students in a complex process like a parliamentary election is not appropriate,” he said. He warned that such involvement could make both the cadets and the institution controversial, adding that it could eventually lead to demands to involve Scouts or Girl Guides. Nazrul Islam, also the BNP standing committee member, said they expressed concern over reports that a so-called “peace committee” might be formed in every election area to maintain order during the election. “The term ‘peace committee’ itself is unpleasant to us, although we are peace-loving people,” he said, adding that the EC told them it is not aware of any such decision. Regarding the restriction on election campaigning 48 hours before the balloting, Nazrul Islam said activists of some political parties are now working outside their constituencies, which is not illegal. “We requested that to ensure that they leave those areas at least two days before the balloting,” The BNP leader also said the party raised concerns over the EC’s approval of more than 55,000 local observers from 81 domestic organisations to monitor the upcoming national election and referendum scheduled for February 12 next. “Some of these organisations are not well known, and we noticed a large number of observers under their names. We asked the EC whether these approvals were given after thorough proper consideration,” he said. Other BNP delegation members are BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, BNP election steering committee chief coordinator Ismail Jabiullah, and its member Dr Mohammad Zakaria. 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.

The aspirants from 51 out of 59 registered political parties, along with hundreds of independent candidates, submitted nominations to contest the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election, according to the data compiled by the Election Commission. Among the parties, the highest 331 aspirants from Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) submitted nomination papers (multiple candidates in some constituencies) to run the election scheduled for February 12, 2026. Besides, 276 aspirants from Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, 268 from Islami Andolon Bangladesh, 224 from Jatiya Party (JaPa), 104 from Gano Odhikar Parishad, 94 from Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, 65 from Communist Party of Bangladesh CPB), 53 aspirants from AB Party, 44 from National Citizen Party-NCP, 42 from Insaniat Bangladesh and 41 aspirants from Basod. The other political parties who joined the race have less than 40 aspirants each. Read more: Bangladesh Polls: Registration time for postal voting extended till Jan 5 Several registered parties, including Samyabadi Dal (ML), Krishak Sramik Janata League, NAP, Workers Party, Bikalpadhara Bangladesh, Bangladesh Tarikat Federation, Trinamool BNP and BNM have no aspirants in the election. A total of 2,569 aspirants, including 478 independent candidates, filed nomination papers in the country's 300 constituencies. The Election Commission is now scrutinising the nomination papers before finalising the list of valid candidates for the polls. Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin on December 11 last announced the schedule to arrange the 13th parliamentary election and the referendum on the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order simultaneously on February 12 next. Read more: Election season kicks off in Bangladesh; 2,582 candidates submitted nomination papers According to the election schedule, the deadline for the submission of nomination papers was December 29, while the last date for the withdrawal of candidature is January 20. The election campaign will start on January 22 and continue till 48 hours before the balloting period (7:30am on February 10). The time for the scrutiny of nomination papers is on December 30-January 4, while the appeals against the decisions of the returning officers can be filed from January 5 to 9 and the appeals will be settled from January 10 to 18.