Staff Correspondent
Dhaka, Jan 22, 2026: Electioneering for Bangladesh’s 13th Jatiya Sangsad election officially began today (Thursday), a day after contesting candidates were allotted their electoral symbols. With campaigning now underway, the country has entered the active phase of the parliamentary polls.
Under election laws, candidates and parties will be allowed to campaign until 7:30am on February 10. Voting is scheduled for February 12, from 7:30am to 4:30pm. A referendum on the implementation of the July National Charter will also be held on the same day.
Major political parties marked the first day of campaigning with rallies and symbolic programmes across different parts of the country. The BNP launched its formal campaign in the morning through a public rally at the Sylhet Alia Madrasa ground.
According to the party, BNP chairperson Tarique Rahman joined campaign activities in seven districts on the opening day—Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Brahmanbaria, Kishoreganj, Narsingdi and Araihazar in Narayanganj.
Jamaat-e-Islami organised its first election rally at 2:00pm at Adarsha School ground in Mirpur, Dhaka. Party sources said Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman and leaders of the 10-party alliance were scheduled to address the gathering. The venue falls within Dhaka-15, the constituency from which Shafiqur Rahman is contesting.
The National Citizen Party (NCP) began its campaign at 10:30am with visits to the graves of three national leaders and that of Shaheed Osman Hadi in the Dhaka University area. The programme later proceeded towards the National Press Club. NCP convener Nahid Islam and other senior leaders took part in the event.
Meanwhile, the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) inaugurated its campaign at 11:00am by placing wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar. Earlier in the morning, Ganosamhati Andolon chief coordinator Zonayed Saki started campaigning for the “Mathal” symbol by paying tribute at his father’s grave in Char Lahaniya of Banchharampur upazila in Brahmanbaria.
Although political parties have long-held symbols, returning officers formally allocated symbols to contesting candidates on Wednesday in line with the election schedule. Independent candidates also received their symbols.
BNP chairperson Tarique Rahman is contesting from Dhaka-17 and Bogura-6 constituencies. On his behalf, BNP leaders received the “Sheaf of Paddy” symbol allocation letters from the returning officers. Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman is contesting from Dhaka-15, with party representatives collecting the “Scales” symbol on his behalf. In Dhaka-11, NCP convener Nahid Islam is contesting with the party symbol “Shapla Koli” (lotus bud).
Alongside the start of campaigning, allegations and counter-allegations have already surfaced. After receiving the symbol allocation letter for Dhaka-15, Jamaat leader Ehsanul Mahbub Zubayer alleged that party leaders and activists were being attacked and harassed in different areas, including incidents reported in the constituency earlier this week. He said the matter had been brought to the attention of the returning officer.
In response, BNP candidate for Dhaka-15 Shafiqul Islam Khan accused a rival party of violating the election code of conduct by sending women door to door and collecting personal information such as national ID details and mobile financial service numbers.
Separately, NCP candidate for Dhaka-8 Nasiruddin Patwari alleged that Tarique Rahman had breached electoral rules by promising housing for residents of the Korail slum. He claimed that while NCP leaders faced show-cause notices, similar actions by BNP leaders were being ignored, reflecting what he described as discriminatory behaviour by the authorities.
Patwari further alleged administrative bias, saying the election process appeared to be operating under different standards for different candidates.
On Wednesday, a delegation from Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis also met the Chief Election Commissioner. After the meeting, the party’s senior nayeb-e-ameer Maulana Yusuf Ashraf said they had placed several recommendations and complaints, urging the commission to ensure a level playing field so that all parties can campaign freely and fairly.
As campaigning gains momentum, election observers are closely watching how authorities address these early disputes while ensuring compliance with electoral laws.
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