Bangladesh is set to officially begin nationwide election campaigning for the 13th National Parliamentary Elections tomorrow, following the allocation of symbols to candidates by the Election Commission today.

Once they receive their symbols, candidates will hit the ground running, visiting households to seek voters’ support. They will begin door-to-door campaigns to garner voter support ahead of the polls.

Campaigning would continue until 7:30am on February 10, ahead of polling for both the referendum and parliamentary elections, set to start at 7:30 am on February 12.

Tuesday marked the deadline for the withdrawal of candidatures, yet the final list of candidates remained pending.

As of Tuesday, the EC has declared 1,842 nominations valid nationwide, with a further 418 candidates reinstated following successful appeals.

In Dhaka Zone alone, 25 candidates have withdrawn from 20 constituencies, according to reports from three returning officers’ offices.

Election Commission secretary Akhtar Ahmed confirmed that a complete tally of withdrawals would be available on Wednesday after compilation of data from across the country.

Following symbol allocation, candidates can officially launch their campaigns, although many have already started campaigning unofficially.

The EC has emphasised strict adherence to the electoral code of conduct, warning that violations could lead to severe penalties, including disqualification.

The election code governs both online and offline campaigning. Candidates must provide detailed information about their campaign teams, including social media accounts, to the returning officers in advance.

The use of artificial intelligence to spread misinformation is strictly prohibited, as is the dissemination of hateful or misleading content.

The code of conduct stated that personal attacks, the manipulation of religious or ethnic sentiments, and the creation of false digital content were forbidden.

It said that all posts shared on social media must be verified for accuracy before publication, and candidates  were barred from targeting the reputation of rivals, their supporters, or specific communities through any medium.

The code also specified that candidates will not hold foreign-based rallies, street meetings, or large gatherings outside their constituencies, and restrictions were imposed on campaign materials, allowing a maximum of 20 billboards per constituency, each no larger than 16 feet in length and nine feet in width, with digital displays permitted for lighting but drones are prohibited.

Posters, festoons, and PVC banners were banned, and no candidate or party was allowed to distribute voter slips featuring personal identifiers such as names or symbols.

Breaches of these rules could result in fines of up to Tk 150,000, six months’ imprisonment, or disqualification.

The Election Commission said that to ensure free, fair, and transparent elections, an Election Inquiry and Judicial Committee had been established in each of the country’s 300 constituencies to monitor irregularities and provide rapid adjudication of complaints.

It said that law enforcement personnel would also be deployed in adequate numbers nationwide.

Ahead of the polls, the EC has released the final voter list, which records 12.77 crore registered voters.

The Election Commission on Tuesday issued warnings to four political parties, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Khelafat Majlish, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, and the National Citizen Party, following complaints lodged by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party regarding early campaigning.

Letters sent to the party leaders caution against violating the code of conduct, noting that campaigning before the official start date contravenes Rule 18 of the 2025 electoral regulations.

Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Mashud said that symbol allocation would be completed on Wednesday, with official campaigning starting on January 22.

While some candidates had begun campaigning in advance, strict enforcement measures were in place to address any breaches of the code of conduct, he said.

The commissioner expressed confidence that most parties would maintain restraint, avoid confrontational tactics, and adhere to the electoral schedule and legal provisions.