Polls countdown: 2,780 pick nomination forms, 31 submit as deadline ends Monday

With the deadline for collecting and submitting nomination papers for the 13th parliamentary elections set to expire at 5:00pm on Monday, December 29, election activities have gathered momentum across the country. 

As of Sunday, December 28, a total of 2,780 aspirants had collected nomination papers, while 31 candidates had already submitted their completed forms, according to the Election Commission (EC).

Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud said at around 12:30pm on Sunday that no decision had been taken to extend the deadline for submitting nomination papers, indicating that the commission is proceeding in line with the announced election schedule.

The Election Commission has issued a comprehensive circular outlining the rules and procedures related to nominations, including the collection and submission of nomination papers, payment of security deposits, eligibility of proposers and seconders, party nominations, scrutiny of papers, withdrawal of candidacy and the publication of the final list of valid candidates.

As the nomination window enters its final hours, interest in contesting the polls has been visible among people from a wide range of professions. Alongside established politicians, businessmen, teachers, lawyers and other professionals have also been collecting nomination forms in large numbers.

According to the EC guidelines, each nomination form must contain detailed personal and electoral information, including the candidate’s name, address, marital status, date of birth, voter number, serial number on the voter list, as well as the name of the constituency, upazila and district. The form must also include the names, voter numbers and signatures of both the proposer and the seconder.

Candidates are required to submit an affidavit along with the nomination form, providing detailed information on their sources of income, assets and liabilities, including those of their dependants. The affidavit must also disclose movable and immovable property, outstanding loans, educational qualifications with supporting documents, and details of any criminal cases, whether pending or previously concluded. Candidates who have contested elections before must also outline any promises made to voters in earlier polls and the extent to which those commitments were fulfilled.

The guidelines further require candidates to disclose how they intend to finance their election campaigns. This includes providing details of a bank account opened in the candidate’s name at a scheduled bank prior to submitting the nomination paper, from which all election-related expenses must be incurred. Income tax information, including the latest tax return containing an asset statement and proof of tax payment, must also be attached.

Candidates contesting on behalf of political parties must submit a copy of the official party nomination letter. Independent candidates, on the other hand, are required to submit documents in line with Article 12(3) of the Representation of the People Order, 1972, including declarations regarding any business or contractual relationship with government organisations. A copy of the bank draft, pay order or treasury challan deposited as security must also be submitted.

In addition, candidates must disclose whether they have previously been elected as members of parliament and, if so, from which constituency. First-time independent candidates are required to submit a signed list showing the support of at least one per cent of the voters in the constituency from which they intend to contest.

With the clock ticking towards the close of nominations, election officials expect a surge in submissions on the final day, after which the scrutiny process will begin, marking a key step in shaping the contest for the 13th parliamentary elections.