News Desk: Bangladesh will head to the polls on February 12 for its first national election since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina, Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin announced on Thursday. A national referendum on the contentious ‘July charter’—a set of proposed reforms to restructure state affairs after Hasina’s fall—will be held the same day.
Nasir Uddin said campaigning will begin on January 22 and end at 7:30 am on February 10, setting the stage for a tightly packed political battle across 300 parliamentary seats.
#Gravitas | Bangladesh is set to head to polls on 12th February next year
The country is entering one of the most defining moments in its modern history, as it prepares for a crucial election that will decide which way the country will move@ShreyaOpines tells you more on this pic.twitter.com/qraNZzF7EZ
— WION (@WIONews) December 11, 2025
With the once-dominant Awami League banned under an anti-terror law—a move critics call political vengeance—the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) led by Khaleda Zia is widely seen as the frontrunner.
The announcement comes months after Bangladesh was rocked by weeks of violent protests in August 2024, forcing Hasina to flee the country. Since then, the nation has been governed by an unelected interim administration headed by Muhammad Yunus, backed by the military and protest groups.
AB Party welcomes the election schedule for the 13th national election due on 12 February 2026. However, AB Party Chairman and General Secretary expresses concerns over the campaign environment and level playing field for all. The Election Commission and Interim Administration,… pic.twitter.com/z2W1SAGy9E
— Amar Bangladesh Party-এবি পার্টি (@ABPartyBD) December 11, 2025
Detailing the election timetable, the Chief Election Commissioner said nomination papers must be filed by December 29. Scrutiny will take place from December 30 to January 4. Appeals against returning officers’ decisions must be submitted on January 11 and will be resolved between January 12 and 18.
The deadline for withdrawing nominations is January 20, while the final candidate list and election symbols will be released on January 21. Voting across the country will take place on February 12.
