December 30, 2025
DHAKA – The Election Commission (EC) said candidates were filing papers at returning officers’ offices in all 300 constituencies, with most aspirants choosing the final day to submit nominations.
According to EC officials, 3,144 nomination papers were collected nationwide. However, only 166 nomination papers had been submitted until yesterday, with the bulk of submissions expected today.
Candidates are submitting nomination papers to 69 returning officers, including two divisional commissioners (Dhaka and Chattogram), three regional election officers (Dhaka, Chattogram and Khulna), and 64 district deputy commissioners.
The EC announced the election and referendum schedule on December 11. Scrutiny of nomination papers will take place from December 30 to January 4, while the withdrawal deadline is January 20. Election symbols will be allotted on January 21, and campaigning will begin on January 22, continuing until 7:30am on February 10, 48 hours before polling.
Dhaka constituencies: BNP, Jamaat and others file papers
BNP-nominated aspirant Bobby Hajjaj submitted his nomination papers to Returning Officer Md Yunus Ali for Dhaka-13 and Dhaka-15, at the Election Training Institute (ETI) in Agargaon. Md Yunus Ali is also the Dhaka regional election officer.
Islamic Andolon Bangladesh–nominated candidate Murad Hossain, joint secretary of the party’s Dhaka North city unit, also submitted his nomination for Dhaka-13. He urged the authorities to ensure a level playing field and expressed concern over security, saying candidates and the public were feeling unsafe.
In Dhaka-15, BNP-nominated aspirant Shafiqul Islam Khan Milton, a Dhaka city Jubo Dal leader, submitted his nomination papers at the ETI building. He said he felt no pressure contesting against the Jamaat-e-Islami ameer, expressing confidence that local voters would support a candidate from their own area.
Meanwhile, around 1:30pm, Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh Assistant Secretary General Maulana Abdul Halim and central executive council member Mobarak Hossain submitted nomination papers on behalf of Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman for the Dhaka-15 seat.
Earlier in the day, nomination papers were also submitted on behalf of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman to contest the Dhaka-17 constituency at the Dhaka Divisional Commissioner’s Office in Segunbagicha.
Senior BNP leaders file nominations nationwide
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir submitted his nomination papers today to contest the election from Thakurgaon-1, filing papers with Returning Officer and Deputy Commissioner Ishrat Farzana.
Meanwhile, nomination papers were also submitted today on behalf of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to contest the upcoming election from the Bogura-7 (Gabtoli and Shahjahanpur) constituency.
Helaluzzaman Talukdar Lalu, adviser to the BNP chairperson, submitted the nomination papers to Bogura Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer Toufiqur Rahman at around 2:45pm.
Speaking to journalists, Helaluzzaman said Khaleda Zia is currently unwell and is communicating mainly through gestures. He added that the former prime minister affixed her thumb impression on the nomination paper instead of signing it.
Earlier in the day, nomination papers were also submitted on Khaleda Zia’s behalf from the Feni-1 constituency. BNP leader Rafiqul Alam Monju filed the nomination with Feni Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer Monira Haque.
Additionally, nomination papers were submitted on behalf of Tarique from Bogura-6 (Sadar) earlier in the day.
Mostly peaceful process, but scuffle in Chattogram
Nomination submission in most constituencies was reported to be peaceful and festive.
However, a scuffle broke out in Chattogram between police and supporters of BNP-nominated candidate Sayeed Al Noman while he was submitting nomination papers for Ctg-10.
Sayeed Al Noman arrived at the Chattogram Divisional Commissioner’s Office around 12:30pm with a large group of supporters, allegedly breaching the electoral code of conduct. Police obstructed the crowd, leading to brief scuffles. The candidate later entered the office with only a few people, while police temporarily locked the main entrance.