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.
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Jamaat-Led Alliance Begins Dhaka-Chattogram Long March with a Six-Point Demand
The 11-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami has begun a "long march" from Dhaka toward Chattogram, pressing for a six-point demand that includes the implementation of the referendum verdict.
BNP Marks 48th Founding Anniversary Today
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is observing its 48th founding anniversary today, Tuesday (September 1).
The party was established on September 1, 1978, at Ramna Park in Dhaka by late former President Ziaur Rahman, who served as its founding chairman.
Ziaur Rahman was assassinated on May 30, 1981, during a failed military coup in Chattogram. Subsequently, on February 21, 1983, his wife, Khaleda Zia, took the helm of the party.
During the ousted Awami League government's tenure, Khaleda Zia was arrested on February 8, 2018, and sentenced in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case, remaining imprisoned for over two years.
Due to her incarceration and subsequent illness, she was ultimately unable to remain active in politics.
However, her son, Tarique Rahman, has served as the party's acting chairman since February 2018 despite living in exile in London.
The BNP remained out of power for over 17 years starting in 2006. Following the fall of Sheikh Hasina in the July uprising, Tarique Rahman returned to the country on December 25, 2025.
On December 30 of that same month, his mother and the party's then-chairperson, Khaleda Zia, passed away while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital.
Subsequently, on January 9, 2026, Tarique Rahman assumed full responsibilities as the party chairman.
On February 12 of the following year, the BNP government led by Tarique Rahman secured a two-thirds majority in the 13th National Parliamentary Election.
Colorful Programs
The BNP has organized a series of colorful events to mark its 48th founding anniversary.
As part of the program, party chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will pay homage at the mausoleums of President Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia at 9:00 AM on September 1, where he will offer Fateha and lay floral wreaths.
A discussion meeting regarding the founding anniversary will be held on September 5. Additionally, fish release and tree plantation programs have been organized.
The fish release program will be led by BNP Joint Secretary General Habib Un Nabi Khan Sohel, while the tree plantation program will be led by Joint Secretary General and Minister of Water Resources Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie.
These programs were announced on August 26 by the party's senior joint secretary general, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed.
Jamaat Expels MP Gazi Nazrul Islam
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has expelled Satkhira-4 Member of Parliament Gazi Nazrul Islam from all party positions following the viral circulation of a video involving him and a woman.
The party's central executive committee took the decision after an internal organizational investigation substantiated allegations of moral turpitude against him.
The announcement was made in a press release issued by Jamaat on Wednesday afternoon (July 22).
Earlier, an inquiry committee formed to investigate the matter submitted its report. Based on findings from the report, the party's executive committee decided on his expulsion during a meeting on Wednesday.
According to the press release, signed by Ehsanul Mahbub Zubayer, Assistant Secretary General of Jamaat and Secretary of the Central Publicity and Media Department, an emergency meeting of the central executive committee was held at 4:00 PM on Wednesday at the official residence of the Leader of the Opposition on Minto Road in Dhaka.
The meeting was chaired by Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, MP, with central executive members in attendance.
The statement noted that following recent media reports regarding Satkhira-4 MP Gazi Nazrul Islam, an organizational investigation proved charges of moral turpitude.
Consequently, the party decided to expel him from Jamaat-e-Islami in accordance with Article 62 of the party constitution.
Additionally, it was decided that the Bangladesh Election Commission would be immediately notified of his expulsion.
Explosion Rocks NCP Rally in Savar; Several Injured
A cocktail explosion occurred at a National Citizen Party (NCP) rally in Savar on Monday night, leaving several people injured.
The incident took place at around 9:45 PM at Tarapur Field while the rally was in full swing.
According to witnesses, the blast occurred while Engineer Nabila Tasnid, the convener of the Dhaka District NCP, was delivering her address. NCP central committee member Yasir Arafat confirmed the attack to the media.
"Terrorists triggered this explosion at the rally venue while our Dhaka District convener, Engineer Nabila Tasnid, was speaking," Arafat stated.
The stage at the time included several high-profile leaders, including NCP convener and Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam, NCP Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain, MP, and Chief Organizer (Northern Region) Sarjis Alam. Arafat confirmed that multiple individuals sustained injuries in the blast.
Following the attack, NCP leaders staged a protest in front of the Savar Model Police Station, demanding immediate action.
The rally was part of the party's nationwide "July March 2026" program, which seeks to advocate for the implementation of a referendum, the creation of employment opportunities, and enhanced border security.
The movement, which launched on Sunday, is scheduled to cover 100 sub-districts and municipalities across the country’s 64 districts.
MoU Signed Between BNP and Communist Party of China
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Communist Party of China (CPC).
The agreement was signed at 8:45 AM local time on Thursday (June 25) at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing.
Humayun Kabir, Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Advisor and Joint Secretary General (International Relations) of the BNP, signed the agreement on behalf of his party, while Liu Haixing, Minister of the International Department of the CPC, signed on behalf of the Chinese side.
The signing ceremony was attended by Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan, Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat, and the Chinese Ambassador to Dhaka.
Notably, this marks the first-ever Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two political parties.
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