Highlights:
- Poll date likely between 5–12 February
- Budget set at Tk2,900 crore
- EC will publish final voter list on 31 August
- 'No Vote' reintroduced for uncontested constituencies
- Among law and order expenses, highest allocation goes to the Ansar
- Ballots for expatriates to be sent immediately after the schedule announcement, showing only party symbols
The Election Commission (EC) plans to complete preparations for the 13th national election by October, as the interim government has confirmed the polls will take place in the first half of February 2026.
Commission officials say they are determined to avoid a last-minute rush.
EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said, "We want to move some tasks ahead of schedule to avoid last-minute chaos and ensure better coordination. Completing tomorrow's work today gives us room to manage new or unexpected challenges.
"For example, in reviewing policies related to polling centres, we now have the opportunity to assess them thoroughly. Nothing is absolutely fixed; things can change. But if we can complete today what is planned for tomorrow, it gives us extra space. Tomorrow we can either take on new tasks and handle additional work, or move forward with greater ease," the secretary added.
What are the tasks?
Tasks include: budget finalisation, voter list updates, political party registration, financial audits, constituency delimitation, updating the Representation of the People Order (RPO), training election officials, stakeholder consultations, and tendering for election materials are already underway.
Poll date likely between 5–12 February
The EC is considering 5–12 February as the election window, though the final date will depend on interim government instructions.
- "The schedule will be announced 60 days before polling day," Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said.
Budget climbs to Tk2,900 crore
The EC has approved Tk2,900 crore for the 13th parliamentary election — up from Tk 1,900 crore in the 12th polls.
- Of this, Tk 1,200 crore is earmarked for election management.
- Tk1,700 crore will be used for law enforcement.
- Officials said inflation, expatriate voting, and higher logistics and living costs drove the increase.
- The 11th polls had a budget of Tk700 crore (later revised to Tk1,000 crore), while the 10th cost Tk264.68 crore.
- Among law and order expenses, the highest allocation goes to the Ansar, followed by police, armed forces, RAB, BGB, and village police.
- Tk 10 crore has been set aside for unforeseen costs. The tender process for election equipment will close on 30 September 2025.
Voter list ready by 31 August
The EC will publish the final voter list on 31 August.
- As of 30 June, there are 12.61 crore voters: 6.4 crore men, 6.21 crore women, and 1,224 Hijra.
- Compared with March, 45.71 lakh new voters were added while 21.32 lakh names were removed, giving a net growth of 1.97%.
- To include those turning 18 by 30 October 2025, an additional voter list will also be published on that date.
Delimitation and new party registration
Hearings on 1,760 objections to 82 constituencies will be held between 24–27 August, with final delimitation set for 31 August.
- Of 143 parties that sought registration in March, 89 resubmitted documents after corrections.
- Twenty-two, including NCP, passed initial scrutiny and are undergoing field-level verification.
RPO and code of conduct
The draft RPO 2025 allows the EC to cancel results in all 300 constituencies if required.
- It also brings the armed forces and coast guard under the definition of law enforcement, places DIGs under EC control once the schedule is announced.
- The "No Vote" option has been reintroduced for uncontested constituencies.
Poll date likely between 5–12 February
The EC is considering 5–12 February as the election window, though the final date will depend on interim government instructions.
- "The schedule will be announced 60 days before polling day," Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said.
Roadmap highlights
- Dialogue with political parties and stakeholders to begin in September and continue for six weeks.
- District officers to stock and test election materials by mid-November.
- Ballot printing and final candidate lists are scheduled for late January.
- Manuals, posters, and ID cards to be printed by October.
- Training of Trainers (ToT) for Upazila and Thana-level officials to be done by 15 September.
- Final voter list for all 300 constituencies to be published by 30 November.
- Polling centres to be established by 30 October.
- Helicopter stations to be assigned and online nomination forms completed by 30 November.
- Ballots for expatriates to be sent immediately after the schedule announcement, showing only party symbols.
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