Bangladesh, Jan 22, 2026: Campaigning for Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary election formally began today Thursday), marking the transition from preparation to full-scale political mobilisation.
The start of electioneering comes a day after returning officers officially handed out electoral symbols to candidates across the country.
According to the election schedule, candidates will be allowed to campaign until 7:30am on February 10. Balloting will take place on February 12, from 7:30am to 4:30pm. On the same day, voters will also take part in a referendum on the implementation of the July National Charter.
Political parties launched their campaigns with rallies, memorial visits and public programmes in different regions. The BNP kicked off its election drive with a morning rally at the Sylhet Alia Madrasa ground. Party officials said BNP chairperson Tarique Rahman took part in campaign activities in seven districts on the opening day, including Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Brahmanbaria, Kishoreganj, Narsingdi and Araihazar in Narayanganj.
Jamaat-e-Islami began its campaign in the capital, holding a public meeting at Adarsha School ground in Mirpur at 2:00pm. The party said its ameer, Shafiqur Rahman, along with leaders of the 10-party alliance, were scheduled to address the gathering. The rally venue falls within Dhaka-15, from where Shafiqur Rahman is contesting the election.
The National Citizen Party (NCP) chose a symbolic start to its campaign, beginning with visits to the graves of national leaders and Shaheed Osman Hadi in the Dhaka University area at 10:30am.
The programme later moved towards the National Press Club, with party convener Nahid Islam and other senior leaders joining the procession.
Elsewhere, the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) launched its campaign by placing wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar at 11:00am. Earlier in the day, Ganosamhati Andolon chief coordinator Zonayed Saki began his election activities in Brahmanbaria’s Banchharampur upazila by paying tribute at his father’s grave before starting campaigning for the “Mathal” symbol.
While most parties have long-established symbols, the election commission formally allocated symbols to all contesting candidates on Wednesday, including independents. BNP chairperson Tarique Rahman is contesting from Dhaka-17 and Bogura-6, with party representatives collecting the “Sheaf of Paddy” symbol on his behalf. Jamaat-e-Islami’s Shafiqur Rahman is contesting from Dhaka-15 with the “Scales” symbol, while NCP convener Nahid Islam is contesting from Dhaka-11 using the party’s “Shapla Koli” symbol.
As campaigning began, allegations of irregularities also surfaced. Jamaat-e-Islami leaders claimed that their activists were being attacked and harassed in several areas, including Dhaka-15, and said the issue had been reported to the returning officer.
BNP candidate for Dhaka-15 Shafiqul Islam Khan, however, accused a rival party of breaching the election code of conduct by sending women door to door to collect sensitive personal information such as national identity details and mobile financial service numbers.
Meanwhile, NCP candidate for Dhaka-8 Nasiruddin Patwari alleged that BNP chairperson Tarique Rahman had violated election rules by making promises of housing for Korail slum residents.
He also criticised what he described as unequal enforcement of election regulations, claiming that some candidates were being scrutinised more strictly than others.
Patwari further alleged administrative bias, saying the authorities appeared to be applying different standards to different political actors during the early stages of the campaign.
On Wednesday, a delegation from Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis met the Chief Election Commissioner, urging the commission to ensure fairness and equal opportunity for all parties. Following the meeting, the party said it had raised several concerns and submitted recommendations aimed at maintaining a level playing field throughout the election period.
With campaigns now in motion nationwide, attention is turning to how election authorities will manage complaints and enforce electoral rules as political activities intensify.
