Bangladesh to Hold National Election and Referendum on February 12

Dhaka -  Bangladesh’s Election Commission (EC) on Thursday announced that the country’s 13th national parliamentary election will be held on February 12 next year, alongside the July Charter referendum, according to local media reports.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin delivered the announcement through a pre-recorded address aired on state-run Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar.

As per the schedule, nomination papers must be submitted by December 29. Scrutiny will take place from December 30 to January 4, while candidates may withdraw their nomination until January 26. Election campaigning is set to begin on January 22, UNB reported.

Bangladesh will, for the first time in its electoral history, hold a national election and a referendum concurrently in February 2026. Last month, the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government directed the EC to conduct the referendum on the same day, a directive confirmed by EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed.

According to The Business Standard, the Cabinet Division formally instructed the Commission to begin preparations for the referendum.

CEC Nasir Uddin earlier acknowledged that organising both the election and referendum simultaneously would be a significant operational challenge for the EC. He stated that the Commission would gain clarity on the required preparations once the relevant law is enacted. After the law is passed, the EC will fully gear up for both processes.

He added, “Whatever the challenges, the EC will hold the referendum and the national election on the same day. We have no option but to move forward.”

Meanwhile, tensions have escalated in the political landscape. Last week, the Awami League criticised Muhammad Yunus for suspending all party activities — a move the party claims has effectively prevented nearly 40 per cent of Bangladesh’s electorate from participating in the February 2026 polls.

The Awami League said the suspension order has turned the upcoming election into a “carefully staged exercise” aimed at eliminating genuine political competition.

The party stated, “When Yunus suspended all activities of the Awami League, it wasn’t just an administrative decision; it was a political blackout unprecedented in Bangladesh’s history. With a single executive order, he managed to silence the country’s largest political force and effectively shut down the voices of nearly 40 per cent of the electorate.”

With inputs from IANS