The submission of nomination papers for Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary elections formally ended at 5:00pm on Monday, marking a key milestone in the run-up to the February 12, 2026 polls.
The Election Commission (EC) said most aspirants filed their papers on the final day, triggering a last-minute surge in submissions nationwide.
Until Sunday, only 166 nomination papers had been submitted, despite thousands being collected by prospective candidates since the election schedule was announced on December 11.
According to the EC’s Central Coordination Committee, a total of 3,144 nomination papers were collected across the country’s 300 constituencies during the nomination period.
The EC said the final number of candidates contesting the election would be announced after data is compiled from all 69 returning officers appointed for the polls.
These include two divisional commissioners (Dhaka and Chattogram), three regional election officers and 64 district deputy commissioners.
Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin announced on December 11 that the parliamentary election would be held simultaneously with a referendum on the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order.
Both the election and the referendum are scheduled for February 12, 2026.
Under the announced schedule, scrutiny of nomination papers will take place from December 30 to January 4.
Candidates whose nominations are rejected may appeal between January 5 and January 9, with appeals set to be disposed of by January 18. The final date for the withdrawal of candidature is January 20, while the EC will publish the final list of candidates and allocate electoral symbols on January 21.
The official election campaign will begin on January 22 and continue until 7:30am on February 10, 48 hours before polling day, in line with electoral rules.
Election Commission Secretariat Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said there would be no extension of the nomination submission deadline.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, he reiterated that December 29 was the final date for candidates to file nomination papers under the revised election schedule.
The collection and submission of nomination papers began on December 12, a day after the EC announced the election timetable. Political observers say the completion of the nomination phase sets the stage for intensified political activity in the coming weeks, as parties prepare for scrutiny, candidate finalisation and full-scale campaigning ahead of the polls.
The February election is being closely watched both domestically and internationally, as it will shape the next parliament and determine the implementation of key constitutional reforms outlined in the July National Charter.