Nomination papers for the 13th parliamentary election were filed across the country in a largely peaceful yet politically charged atmosphere on the final day of submission, underscoring the scale of the contest and the intensity of competition shaping up ahead of the 12 February 2026 polls.
With the deadline expiring at 5pm on Monday, candidates from major alliances, smaller parties and independents thronged returning officers’ offices nationwide, marking a decisive step in an election that will also see a referendum on constitutional reforms held simultaneously.
While the BNP-led alliance and the Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance emerged as the principal contenders, internal rebellions, strategic seat-sharing and heavyweight candidacies promise a complex and unpredictable electoral battle.
The Election Commission (EC) confirmed that most aspirants chose the final day to submit their nomination papers.
Of the 3,144 nomination papers collected nationwide, 2,582 were ultimately submitted by the deadline. No incidents of violence were reported from anywhere in the country, a fact welcomed by election officials amid heightened political mobilisation.
EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed categorically ruled out any extension of the deadline, telling reporters in the afternoon, “The time for submission of nomination papers will not be extended anymore.”
The commission said detailed constituency-wise data on aspirants for the 300 seats would be disclosed later.
According to EC sources, nomination submissions were spread across all regions, reflecting broad participation. Rangpur regions saw 278 aspirants submit papers, Rajshahi 260, Khulna 276, Barishal 166, Faridpur 142, Dhaka 444, Mymensingh 311, Sylhet 146, Cumilla 365 and Chattogram 194.
The EC had earlier announced the election schedule on 11 December, setting 29 December as the final date for nomination submission, 30 December to 4 January for scrutiny, 20 January as the last date for withdrawal, and 22 January as the start of campaigning, which will run until 48 hours before polling begins at 7:30am on 10 February.
This election will be overseen by 69 returning officers, including two divisional commissioners (Dhaka and Chattogram), three regional election officers (Dhaka, Chattogram and Khulna), and 64 district deputy commissioners.
The collection and submission of nomination papers began on December 12, a day after the schedule announcement.
Historically, the number of nomination papers has fluctuated, with 2,563 filed in the October 2001 election, 3,093 in the June 1996 polls and 3,855 in the 1991 election – figures often cited to contextualise the current level of political engagement.
Beyond the numbers, however, the final day of nomination submission laid bare the strategic calculations, internal strains and emerging rivalries within and between the country’s major political alliances.
The BNP and its allies submitted nomination papers across the country, but the party faces a multifaceted challenge as it heads into the polls.
Alongside strong contests against Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance candidates in many constituencies, BNP leaders are grappling with the impact of rebel candidates and local dissatisfaction over nominations.
Senior BNP figures, including acting chairman Tarique Rahman and Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, all submitted their nomination papers on Monday.
Tarique Rahman, who was included in the voter list on Sunday after completing mandatory registration formalities, is contesting from two constituencies – Dhaka-17 and Bogura-6.
His nomination for Dhaka-17 was filed around noon at the office of the Dhaka Divisional Commissioner and Returning Officer in Segunbagicha by BNP leaders Abdus Salam and Farhad Halim Donar.
Dhaka-17, which includes upscale neighbourhoods such as Gulshan, Banani and Baridhara, is shaping up as a high-profile contest.
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Dr SM Khaliduzzaman has also submitted his nomination for the seat.
BNP sources said Tarique Rahman’s formal campaign is scheduled to begin in Sylhet.
His nomination for Bogura-6 was also submitted the same day, where Jamaat nominee Abidur Rahman Sohel is contesting.
District BNP president Rezaul Karim Badsha, acting general secretary Mosharraf Hossain and several senior local leaders were present during the submission.
Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir drew attention by submitting his nomination papers for Thakurgaon-1 while riding a rickshaw, a symbolic gesture that quickly became a talking point.
His main rival there is Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Delwar Hossain, a former central president of Islami Chhatra Shibir.
BNP Standing Committee members also entered the fray nationwide. Salahuddin Ahmed filed from Cox’s Bazar-1, facing Jamaat nominee Abdullah Al Faruq.
Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain submitted papers for Cumilla-1, contested by Jamaat candidate Moniruzzaman Bahlul.
Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury filed for Chattogram-11 (Port-Patenga), where Jamaat’s Shafiul Alam is also contesting.
AZM Zahid Hossain is contesting from Dinajpur-6 against Jamaat leader Anwarul Islam, while Hafiz Uddin Ahmed filed from Bhola-3, where Bangladesh Development Party candidate Nizamul Hoque Nayeem is also in the race.
Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan submitted nomination papers for Narsingdi-2, with NCP leader Sarwar Tushar also contesting.
Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku filed from Sirajganj-2, facing Jamaat nominee Muhammad Zahidul Islam. Goyeshwar Chandra Roy submitted papers in Dhaka-3.
BNP candidates were also named for several other constituencies, including Aman Ullah Aman, Altaf Hossain Chowdhury (Patuakhali-1), Barkat Ullah Bulu (Noakhali-3), Mohammad Shahjahan (Noakhali-4), Abdul Awal Mintu (Feni-3), Nitai Roy Chowdhury (Magura-2), Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaykobad (Cumilla-3) and Abdus Salam Pintu (Tangail-2).
Members of the chairperson’s advisory council and joint secretaries likewise filed nominations across a wide range of seats.
Despite the breadth of participation, BNP insiders admit the party is under pressure from rebel candidates in around 50 constituencies. Although nominations were adjusted in 17 seats, divisions persist elsewhere.
Rumin Farhana, a former reserved-seat MP and BNP’s assistant secretary for international affairs, filed as an independent from Brahmanbaria-2, a seat allocated to Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh under alliance arrangements.
In Patuakhali-3, BNP leader Hasan Mamun filed as a rebel candidate despite the seat being allotted to Gana Odhikar Parishad president Nurul Haque Nur.
In contrast, the Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance used the final day of nominations to field senior leaders in constituencies where the BNP-led alliance nominated new or comparatively less prominent candidates.
This strategy has fuelled expectations within Jamaat ranks that several seats could tilt decisively in their favour.
Among the prominent figures who submitted nomination papers are Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman, National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam, Islami Andolan Bangladesh leader Mufti Syed Faizul Karim, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) president Col (retd) Oli Ahmed, AB Party Chairman Mojibur Rahman Monju, Khelafat Majlish secretary general Ahmed Abdul Kader, and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish Ameer Maulana Mamunul Haque.
Dr Shafiqur Rahman’s nomination was submitted for Dhaka-15, where BNP nominated Jubo Dal general secretary Md Safiqul Islam Khan Milton, a relatively fresh face. Jamaat leaders expressed confidence about the outcome.
Ehsanul Mahbub Zubayer, a central Jamaat leader, said after submitting the papers in Agargaon: “We are hopeful about his victory.”
Dr Shafiqur Rahman previously contested the seat in 2028 under the BNP-led alliance.
Nahid Islam is contesting from Dhaka-11 against BNP nominee Dr MA Kaiyum, while Oli Ahmed filed for Chattogram-14, facing BNP’s Jasim Uddin Ahmed. Mufti Faizul Karim submitted papers for Barishal-6, where the BNP candidate is also considered a non-heavyweight.
Maulana Mamunul Haque filed for Dhaka-13, a seat where BNP did not field a party candidate. Bobby Hajjaj of the Nationalist Democratic Movement (NDM) has filed from the seat using the BNP’s ‘sheaf of paddy’ symbol.
Ahmed Abdul Kader submitted nomination papers for Habiganj-4 after Jamaat candidate Oli Ullah Noman withdrew.
Jamaat Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher filed for Cumilla-11, a constituency he has represented twice before, while local BNP leader Kamrul Huda is contesting there for the first time.
Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar became a candidate in Khulna-5, a seat he previously won as a BNP-led alliance nominee in 2001, 2008 and 2018. This time, he faces BNP’s Ali Asgar Lobi, who has not previously contested elections.
Other notable Jamaat-led alliance candidates include Muhaddis Abdul Khaleq in Satkhira-2, Nazibur Rahman – son of former Jamaat ameer Motiur Rahman Nizami – in Pabna-1, and Mojibur Rahman Monju in Feni-2 after Jamaat leader Liaqat Ali Bhuiyan withdrew in his favour following AB Party’s formal entry into the alliance.
BNP has nominated Prof Joynal Abedin in Feni-2.
NCP leader Hasnat Abdullah also filed nomination papers from Cumilla-4 under the Jamaat-led alliance banner.
Bd-pratidin English/TR
