United News of Bangladesh

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.

A total of 166 nomination papers have been submitted as of 5:00pm on Sunday, while 3,144 nomination papers were collected nationwide, according to the Election Commission’s (EC) Central Coordination Committee, formed ahead of the upcoming national election. The EC has set the deadline for submission of nomination papers at 5:00pm on Monday (December 29, 2025). Ahead of the polls, the commission has divided the country into ten electoral regions: Rangpur, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barishal, Faridpur, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Sylhet, Cumilla, and Chattogram. According to EC statistics, Dhaka recorded the highest number of collected nomination papers at 596, but only 22 were submitted by Sunday. No approval needed for repair, renovation of polling stations: EC Rangpur saw the lowest submission rate, with only six papers filed out of 258 collected. Cumilla came second in terms of collection, with 462 nomination papers, while 28 were submitted by Sunday evening. Other regions reported the following figures for collected nominations: Rajshahi 305, Khulna 347, Barishal 182, Faridpur 155, Mymensingh 383, Sylhet 169, and Chattogram 287. The EC 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. According to the election schedule, the deadline for the submission of nomination papers is 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). Strengthen cyber security ahead of election: Prof Yunus Regarding the submission of dependents’ tax information, the EC clarified that providing the income tax information of an aspirant's spouse, children and dependents in the nomination form would be considered as optional. The EC issued the clarification in a letter sent to 69 returning officers, including two divisional commissioners, three regional election officers, and 64 district deputy commissioners, hours after a demand for clarification from BNP.

With the deadline for submitting nomination papers for the upcoming national election falling on Monday, nearly 99 percent of aspirants who collected the forms have yet to file them as they are waiting for the last day. “A total of 2,780 nomination papers were collected to contest the election from the country’s 300 constituencies and only 31 papers were submitted till 2:30pm on Sunday,” said Election Commission Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed on Sunday evening. The deadline for the submission of nomination papers will expire at 5:00pm on Monday (December 29, 2025), said EC officials. Read more: National Election: Only 166 nominations filed out of 3,144 till Sunday; deadline Monday Md Yunus Ali, the returning officer for Dhaka-13 and Dhaka-15 constituencies, said a total of 29 nomination papers were collected in the two constituencies, but only three papers were submitted till Sunday. “Most of the nomination papers will be submitted tomorrow (the last day),” he said. The EC 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. According to the election schedule, the deadline for the submission of nomination papers is 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). Submission of Dependents’ Tax Information Optional The Election Commission on Sunday clarified that providing the income tax information of an aspirant's spouse, children and dependents in the nomination form would be considered as optional. The EC issued the clarification in a letter sent to 69 returning officers, including two divisional commissioners, three regional election officers, and 64 district deputy commissioners, hours after a demand for clarification from BNP. “Regarding income tax information in serial 10 of the affidavit: providing the income tax related information of the spouse, children, and dependents mentioned in columns 2, 3, and 4 of the income tax return section shall be considered optional,” the commission said in the letter. Read more: No approval needed for repair, renovation of polling stations: EC The Commission, however, said the statement of the sources of income, assets, and liabilities of fully dependent family members, which are mentioned in the serials 6 and 7 of the affidavit, must be submitted as this requirement is in accordance with the Clause 12(3)(ka)(c) of the Representation of the People Order (RPO), 1972. The clarification came after a three-member delegation of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan, met Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin on Sunday to raise concerns about the provision. Talking to reporters after the meeting, Nazrul Islam Khan said although the Representation of the People Order (RPO) does not mention children, the nomination form requires aspirants to submit income tax details of their children, which has created widespread confusion. “There is a question everywhere because many candidates’ children are not dependent on them. Many are self-earning, some live abroad, and many pay taxes independently. This has created complexity, which is why we wrote to the Election Commission and also discussed the matter today,” he said. Tarique, Ziama in Voter List Meanwhile, the Election Commission on Sunday incorporated BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and his daughter Zaima Rahman in the country’s voter list to be used in the February-12 election. “They (Tarique Rahman and Zaima Rahman) have been included in the voter list that will be used in the February-12 elections,” EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed told UNB on Sunday evening. Earlier in the day, the Commission approved the inclusion of their names in the electoral rolls, a day after Tarique Rahman and his daughter Zaima Rahman completed the necessary process for National Identity Card (NID) registration and voter enlistment. Read more: Providing dependents’ income tax info in nomination form optional: EC They went to the Election Commission’s National Identity office in the city to complete their NID registration and enlist them as a voter. Their biometric data and photographs were taken in the NID office. Besides, the Election Commission asked the Home Ministry to recover illegal arms, prepare level-playing field, provide security to election offices and materials, containing misinformation and disinformation. “In order to conduct the elections in a fair and peaceful manner, it is necessary to recover illegal arms from the electoral area; maintain communal harmony and provide security to minorities; plan for the deployment of law and order forces; formulate an advance budget for the deployment of law and order forces; control illegal infiltrators and prepare a level playing field for the elections; provide security for postal ballot transportation and storage sites; prevent the spread of misinformation and disinformation; and provide clearance and security for foreign observers and journalists on the occasion of their arrival in Bangladesh,” says the letter sent on Saturday. the letter, the EC also drew attention to take necessary measures to ensure security in the transportation, storage and distribution of election materials, take effective measures to ensure the security of the office of the Returning Officer and all field-level election-related departments, and plan to deploy law enforcement forces at polling stations on election day and in the election area a few days before the election to maintain overall peace and order. Besides, the EC also sent letters to the Cabinet Division, the Foreign Ministry, the Local Government Division, the Information and Broadcasting, the Posts and Telecommunications Division and the Cultural Affairs Ministry asking them to take necessary measures on different election activities. Read more: Asif Mahmud picks up nomination paper for Cumilla-3

The Election Commission will decide on the inclusion of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and his daughter Zaima Rahman in the national voter list, which will be used for the upcoming general election and the referendum scheduled for February 12, 2026. “Their names will be placed before the commission tomorrow (Sunday). If the Commission approves, then they will be included in the voter list to be used in the February-12 election,” said EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed. He was briefing reporters at Nirbachan Bhaban after Tarique Rahman and Zaima Rahman completed the national identity and voter registration process at the EC’s NID office in the Electoral Training Institute. The EC Secretary said they were allowed to complete the registration process as the EC has authority to enroll eligible in the voter list as per the Electoral Rolls Act 2009. Tarique, Zaima complete NID and voter registration “They’ve completed the registration process…But it takes time to process the application. I believe, it will be completed by today and then they will get their NID Numbers,” he said. Then the issue will be placed on Sunday for the approval from the commission to include them in the country's voter list to be used in the upcoming parliamentary election and the referendum on the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order.    

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman arrived at the Election Commission’s National Identity Wing in the city’s Agargaon area on Saturday (December 27, 2025) to complete his National Identity Card (NID) registration and enlist himself as a voter. He reached the National Identity Wing office, located at the Electoral Training Institute, at 1pm. As part of the registration process, Tarique Rahman will provide biometric data and submit the required documents. Tarique Rahman leaves home to visit Osman Hadi’s grave at Dhaka University Earlier, his daughter Zaima Rahman along with her mother Zubaida Rahman arrived at the same office at around 12:26 pm. After completing the necessary formalities, they left the office at around 12:45 pm, before Tarique’s arrival. According to BNP sources, Tarique, Zubaida and Zaima have already completed the online voter registration form. They are supposed to be registered as voters in the Dhaka-17 constituency under DNCC Ward No. 19 in the Gulshan area, using the address of House No. 196, Gulshan-2. Earlier in the day, Tarique offered fateha at the grave of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inquilab Moncho, who died a week after being shot on December 12. Tarique offers fateha at Hadi’s grave Accompanied by senior BNP leaders, Tarique first placed a wreath at Hadi’s grave at around 11:30 am, paying tribute to the July uprising activist. He later offered fateha and joined a munajat, seeking the salvation of Hadi’s departed soul. The munajat was conducted by Abu Bakar Siddique, the elder brother of Sharif Osman Hadi. Tarique and his party colleagues also placed a wreath at the grave of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, near the Dhaka University Central Mosque. They also joined a munajat there as well. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed, Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Niaz Ahmed Khan, among others, were present. Members of the police, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) were deployed across the Shahbagh and Dhaka University areas to maintain security. Tarique left his Gulshan Avenue residence at around 10:40 am in a white bulletproof SUV and reached the Dhaka University campus at around 11:15 am under tight security. From the Election Commission, he is scheduled to visit Mahbub Bhaban in Dhanmondi, the residence of his father-in-law. He will then go to Evercare Hospital to visit his ailing mother. Read more: Tarique visits National Martyrs’ Memorial, pays homage to martyrs Tarique was earlier scheduled to visit the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (NITOR), popularly known as Pangu Hospital, to meet those injured during the July 2024 mass uprising. However, the programme has been cancelled. In a Facebook post on Saturday morning, BNP’s Media Cell said Tarique would not visit Pangu Hospital as there are no injured victims of the July mass uprising. Sharif Osman Hadi, a leader of Inquilab Moncho and a prospective candidate for Dhaka-8, was shot in the head on December 12 while travelling in a rickshaw on Culvert Road in Puratan Paltan. The incident occurred a day after the Election Commission announced February 12 as the date for the next national election. For advanced treatment, Hadi was airlifted to Singapore, where he died from his injuries on the night of December 18. He was laid to rest beside the grave of Kazi Nazrul Islam on December 20. Aged 32, Hadi was a prominent figure in the July 2024 uprising and served as the spokesperson of Inquilab Moncho. Read more: Inqilab Moncho shifts blockade from Shahbagh ahead of Tarique’s visit Tarique Rahman returned to Bangladesh on Thursday morning after nearly 17 years abroad. His return has drawn widespread attention and strong emotions among BNP leaders, activists and supporters across the country. He was greeted with a large and jubilant reception, with party leaders describing his homecoming as historic.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has left Gulshan residence to visit the grave of Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi. The information was shared shortly after 10:45am on Saturday through a post on BNP’s verified Facebook page. After offering prayers, Tarique Rahman is scheduled to visit the Election Commission office to complete National Identity Card (NID) registration and enlist himself as a voter. Inqilab Moncho shifts blockade from Shahbagh ahead of Tarique’s visit He will later go to  his father-in-law’s house in Dhanmondi. From Dhanmondi, he will go to Evercare hospital to visit his ailing mother. He was supposed to visit National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (NITOR), popularly known as Pangu Hospital, to meet those injured during the July 2024 mass uprising, but the programme was cancelled. In a separate Facebook post, BNP’s media cell said Tarique Rahman will not visit Pangu Hospital as there are no injured persons from the July mass uprising receiving treatment there. Tarique Rahman returned to the country on Thursday after 17 years in exile in London. Read more: Tarique arrives at EC’s NID wing to register as voter

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Wednesday told the Election Commission (EC) that providing VVIP facilities to someone while denying theses to others is the violation of a level playing field in the election. “If someone gets many facilities, even VVIP facilities, while others do not, that cannot be called a level playing field,” said Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair while briefing reporters after a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin. A three-member Jamaat delegation met the CEC in the afternoon at Nirbachon Bhaban in the city. The Jamaat leader said their leaders who are playing roles in the election, including the Ameer-e-Jamaat, the Secretary General and other central and top leaders, will conduct extensive tours in different areas. “They will need to travel massively. We have drawn attention to their security issues.” Read more: Jamaat-e-Islami backs Inqilab Moncho’s 24-hour ultimatum for Hadi killers He said the Election Commission told them that the issue falls under the jurisdiction of the relevant ministry and the EC would talk to it and take necessary initiatives from its side. Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair said a big party is violating the election code of conduct and they (Jamaat) sought immediate steps in this regard. “You may have seen various types of cards issued by a big party. We have seen those mainly through journalist friends. They are making different promises. They will distribute so many lakhs or crores of cards. They are promising that cardholders will receive thousands or lakhs of taka per card. These acts are clear violations of the election rules and the code of conduct,” he said. The Jamaat leader said they told the Commission to take action in this regard. “We have drawn their attention and urged them to take immediate measures.” Replying to a question, Ahsanul Mahboob said cards are being distributed by a big party. “They are saying 50 crore cards will be given. Each person will receive lakhs of taka.” He said they asked the EC to install CCTV cameras at polling stations as it is very important for ensuring a free and fair election. Read more: Govt welcomes Tarique Rahman’s return, assures full cooperation  “If CCTV cameras are not installed, we believe terrorists and those with ill intentions will get a major opportunity to disrupt and sabotage the election. If CCTV cameras are there, we hope that opportunity will no longer exist,” he added. The Jamaat leader said they also discussed the overall law and order situation and recommended recovery of illegal arms and the arrest of listed criminals.

The Election Commissioner has started its briefing on the electoral management affairs for the deputy commissioners (DCs), Superintendents of Police (SPs) and other field-level high officials ahead of the upcoming national election and the referendum scheduled for February 12. The briefing started at 10:00am at Nirbachan Bhaban in the city’s Agargaon area. Read more: EC to send SMS urging govt officials to register for postal voting Alongside the DCs and SPs, Divisional Commissioners, Metropolitan Police Commissioners, Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs) of police, Regional Election Officers and District Election Officers are attending the briefing. Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir is present in the event as the chief guest, while four election commissioners Abdur Rahmanel Masud, Tahmida Ahmad, Anwarul Islam Saker and Brig Gen (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah are special guests. The CEC and the four election commissioners are giving necessary guidelines and instructions about the electoral management in a bid to conduct the February-12 elections in free, fair and festive manners. EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed is presiding over the event. Read more: Tarique Rahman to become voter on Dec 27: Salahuddin

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman will complete the formalities to become a registered voter on December 27 after returning home from London on December 25, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said on Monday (December 22, 2025). “December 25 is Thursday, December 26 is Friday, and December 27 is Saturday. During the election period, the Election Commission offices remain open. He will complete all procedures related to becoming a voter and obtaining a National Identity Card on December 27,” he said. Salahuddin Ahmed said this while talking to reporters after a meeting between a BNP delegation and Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at Nirbachan Bhaban in the city. Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud and EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed were present at the meeting. Read more: Attacks on Daily Star, Prothom Alo a direct assault on democracy: Fakhrul Salahuddin said the BNP delegation recommended the Election Commission to amend or clarify certain legal provisions related to the submission of nomination papers. “We pointed out that the requirement of submitting a certified copy of bail documents along with nomination papers is not mentioned in the Representation of the People Order (RPO). We asked for clarification on this issue and suggested that candidates should not be required to submit certified copies with their nomination papers,” he said, talking about one of their recommendations. Replying to a question regarding the law and order situation, the BNP Standing Committee member said maintaining law and order is the primary responsibility of the government. “We want a fair environment for the elections. We hope that the environment for the elections will remain healthy,” he said, adding that the people also want to vote freely in a festive atmosphere. “So, we hope that the law and order situation will gradually improve,” said Salahuddin. BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council member Ismail Zabiullah and former EC’s Acting Secretary Dr Mohammad Zakaria were  other members of the BNP delegation. Read more: Bangladesh Jatiya Dal chief Huda joins BNP Earlier on December 11, Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin 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. According to the election schedule, the deadline for the submission of nomination papers is 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 Election Commission (EC) has instructed the relevant authorities to send SMS alerts to all government officials and employees, encouraging them to register for voting through postal ballots ahead of the upcoming parliamentary election and the referendum on the July Charter. The instruction was given in a letter signed on Wednesday (December 17) by KM Ali Newaz, Additional Secretary of the Election Commission and Project Director of the OCV–SDI project. According to the letter, government officials and employees working inside the country, as well as officers and employees of the armed forces who receive salaries through the iBAS++ system, will be able to cast their votes through an IT-supported postal ballot after completing registration via the “Postal Vote BD” app. The registration process will remain open until December 25, 2025, the letter said. Read more: EU deploys election observation mission to Bangladesh The 13th parliamentary election and the referendum will be held simultaneously on February 12, 2026. The EC has instructed the authorities concerned to send SMS messages to all military and civilian government officials and employees who are drawing salaries through the iBAS++ system, requesting them to complete their registration through the app by the stipulated deadline. The SMS text will be “All government officials and employees (military and civilian) are requested to complete registration through the ‘Postal Vote BD’ app by December 25, 2025, to cast votes through IT-supported postal ballots.” The Commission said postal ballots will be sent by mail to the registered voters’ addresses. After casting their votes, voters will have to return the ballots in the provided return envelopes to the respective returning officers. Though the postal balloting system has been in the laws for a long time, it was never practised in the previous elections. Read more: ‘In-Country Postal Vote’ registration to continue till Dec 25: EC This is the first time the Election Commission has introduced an IT-supported hybrid postal balloting system, enabling expatriates, government staff, polling personnel, and the persons who will be in the legal custody to exercise their franchise through a combination of digital registration and manual voting. Among them, the probable polling personnel who are not in the government services, and the prisoners will be able to register after December 17 to 25 for voting through the postal ballots in the upcoming election. So far 46,701 government officials and employees registered through the app to vote in the February-12 election after the announcement of the election schedule announced on December 11. The Election Commission said postal ballots will be sent by mail to the registered voters’ addresses. After casting their votes, voters will have to return the ballots in the provided return envelopes to the respective returning officers. The EC also said that instructions in this regard have already been sent to the Secretary of the Finance Division. According to the election 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. The election campaign will start on January 22 and continue till 48 hours before the balloting period (7:30am on February 10). Read more: February election to lay strong foundation for democracy: Rizwana