Election Campaigning Begins: Where Major Parties Stand

The countdown to the 13th National Parliamentary Election has officially begun as the Election Commission (EC) completed the allocation of symbols to candidates.

Following the distribution at Returning Officers' offices on Wednesday, formal campaigning has launched today, January 22.

According to electoral law, candidates are permitted to campaign until 7:30 AM on February 10.

Voting is scheduled to take place on February 12 from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Notably, a national referendum to implement the "July National Charter" will be held on the same day.

Campaign Launch Schedules
Major political parties have organized large-scale events to mark the first day of the official campaign trail:

• BNP (Bangladesh Nationalist Party): The party will officially launch its campaign this morning with a massive rally at the Sylhet Alia Madrasa field. BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman is scheduled to attend rallies across seven districts on day one, including Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Brahmanbaria, Kishoreganj, Narsingdi, and Araihazar in Narayanganj.
• Jamaat-e-Islami: The party has organized a public meeting at Mirpur Adarsha School field in the capital at 2:00 PM today. Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman and leaders of the 10-party alliance are expected to attend.
• National Citizen Party (NCP): The NCP will begin its campaign at 10:30 AM by visiting the Mausoleum of the Three Leaders and the grave of Shaheed Osman Hadi in the Dhaka University area.
• CPB (Communist Party of Bangladesh): Their campaign begins at 11:00 AM with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Central Shaheed Minar.
• Ganosamhati Andolan: Chief Coordinator Zonayed Saki, contesting with the 'Mathal' (straw hat) symbol, will start his campaign at 9:00 AM in Bancharampur, Brahmanbaria, by visiting his father's grave.

Candidate Overview
A total of 1,967 candidates are contesting the 13th National Parliamentary Election.

While various candidates have voiced concerns regarding the electoral environment, they expressed hope that the Commission will maintain law and order and ensure a level playing field for all participants.