Campaigning for Bangladesh’s 13th Jatiya Sangsad election officially kicks off today following the allocation of election symbols and confirmation of final candidates, signaling the start of full-scale political activity ahead of the February 12 polls.
The Election Commission (EC) assigned symbols to candidates yesterday, allowing political parties and independent contenders to campaign openly under the election code of conduct.
According to the EC, nearly 2,000 candidates are contesting 300 parliamentary seats. Voting, along with a nationwide referendum, is scheduled for February 12.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) will launch its campaign from Sylhet, with party chairman Tarique Rahman set to participate in rallies across seven districts on the first day.
Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman will start his campaign in the Dhaka-15 constituency and plans to tour eight northern districts over the next two days.
The Jatiya Party is fielding candidates in 196 constituencies. Party Secretary General Shameem Haider Patwary expressed concern over potential obstacles to campaigning and warned of “election engineering,” highlighting worries about an uneven playing field. Party Chairman GM Quader is set to commence the party’s campaign in Rangpur.
The beginning of electioneering comes amid close scrutiny of the political environment, as major parties intensify outreach while raising concerns over fairness ahead of polling day.
