The Election Commission (EC) will unveil the schedule for the 13th parliamentary election and a simultaneous referendum this evening, with voting expected to take place on 6 or 12 February amid preparations described as largely complete despite several political and administrative challenges.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin will announce the schedule in a pre-recorded address to the nation at 6pm, confirming the final voting date, EC Secretary Akhter Ahmed confirmed on Wednesday.

The EC finalised the timetable earlier this week, bringing months of speculation to an end.

Although the official date will not be known until the CEC’s televised announcement, Election Commissioner Md Anwarul Islam Sarker indicated that 8 or 12 February were under active consideration.

The commission has maintained that preparations have proceeded according to plan, despite pending legal issues relating to constituency boundaries in Bagerhat.

“We have received some information regarding delimitation,” the secretary said. “However, we have not yet received any court order. Therefore, it is not appropriate to comment until the order is received. According to the current decision, the schedule will be announced based on 300 seats. Corrections can be made later if necessary.”

A historic dual vote

For the first time in Bangladesh’s electoral history, a parliamentary election and referendum will be held on the same day.

The referendum will allow registered expatriate Bangladeshis to vote by post, and postal voting has also been introduced for the parliamentary polls.

To manage the increased workload, the EC is considering expanding the number of polling booths nationwide. Voting hours will also be extended by one hour – from 7.30am to 4.30pm – to accommodate the expected rise in voter traffic.

EC officials say that logistical preparations are essentially complete ahead of the timetable announcement.

On Wednesday, following long-standing tradition, the CEC and election commissioners visited Bangabhaban to brief President Md Shahabuddin on the EC’s preparations.

Commissioners Abdur Rahmanel Masud, Begum Tahmida Ahmad, Md Anwarul Islam Sarker, Brig Gen Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah (Retd), and EC Secretary Akhter Ahmed accompanied the CEC.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, Secretary Akhter Ahmed said the President had received a detailed update. The CEC outlined the status of the voter list – covering additions made from January to 31 October – along with updates on political party registration.

According to the secretary, the President questioned the Commission closely on “how the ballot papers are being prepared, what the colour of the ballot papers will be, how a ballot paper will be given to a voter, how long a voter took in mock voting, and the counting method”.

The President, he said, expressed satisfaction with the preparations, finding the extended voting hours “logical”.

He paid particular attention to “out-of-country voting” and “in-country postal voting”, stressing the need for efficiency and transparency.

Overall, he assured the EC that it would receive “all the necessary support, cooperation and sympathy – even more than required – for a good, fair and meaningful election”.

Political parties’ positions

More than fifty registered parties, including the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami and the Nationalist Conservative Party (NCP), are eligible to contest the election.

Although the Jatiya Party faces no procedural obstacles, its leaders have stated they will decide on participation after assessing the political climate.

The ruling Awami League, however, will be unable to take part for the first time in its history due to the suspension of its party registration.

The party previously boycotted the fourth parliamentary election in 1988 and the sixth in 1996.

In the week preceding the schedule announcement, the BNP, NCP and Jamaat each met the CEC. All favoured timely elections but Jamaat and the NCP voiced concerns about the law and order situation and what they described as the absence of a level playing field.

Their comments were issued against the backdrop of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s illness.

Anwarul Islam Sarker said on Tuesday that preparations were complete: “Immediately after the schedule announcement, around 20 circulars will be issued for all types of officials, including constituency-based Returning Officers and Assistant Returning Officers.”

He added that all formats and guidelines for appointing Executive Magistrates, Electoral Inquiry Committees, Judicial Magistrates, and for forming Monitoring Cells and Law and Order Cells had already been finalised.

These circulars will be published chronologically on the EC’s website and other platforms, including YouTube.

The commission has prepared a full checklist covering all tasks from the schedule announcement to voting day.

“We have the total checklist for the vote ready,” Anwarul said, adding, “Step by step, we have kept ready when the quotas will be assigned. The EC Secretariat has prepared this skilfully.”

Code of conduct and legal issues

The EC does not expect further complications from the pending writ petition on constituency delimitation, but has emphasised strict compliance with the electoral code of conduct. Potential candidates will be required to remove all early campaign materials within 48 hours of the schedule being announced.

Law enforcement agencies and local officials have already been instructed to take action in case of non-compliance.

Anwarul reiterated that the Commission “will adopt utmost strictness” if violations occur.

IT teams and district-level officials are actively engaged in election preparations, supported by data gathered during several rounds of mock voting.

These trials led to the decisions to extend voting hours and to increase the number of secret booths to ensure that voters can cast their ballots “timely and unrestrictedly”.

He added: “No one, explicitly or implicitly, is exerting any pressure. The EC is working enthusiastically. We believe we will be able to share the story of being part of a good election our entire lives. This is the dream before us – that we can feel proud.”

Budget and postal voting

Because the election and referendum will be held together, the electoral budget will rise significantly. Approximately Tk2,000 crore was spent during the previous election; this time, expenditure is projected at around Tk3,000 crore.

“The budget will increase overall because, besides the budget for the parliamentary election alone, there is now the referendum, requiring campaigning, and postal voting is also included,” Anwarul explained.

Around 250,000 expatriates have so far registered to vote by post – a number the Commission believes could set a global record. Special circulars will detail the procedures for transporting ballot papers, ensuring security, counting votes and issuing instructions to officials responsible for postal voting.

Due to the suspension of its registration, the Awami League’s “Boat” symbol will not appear on postal ballots.

Election commission confident

Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud dismissed concerns about political headwinds: “The parties are stating their positions. We are ready for the vote. No comment on that. We no longer feel there are challenges before us.”

He stressed that the responsibility for participation lies with the registered parties, while the Commission’s role is to ensure a secure voting environment.

According to him, the EC is confident that there are “no challenges” regarding the parliamentary election, referendum or postal voting process.

Anwarul echoed this optimism, saying, “We are moving forward with these three elements with renewed inspiration and enthusiasm. Officials at the district and Upazila levels are working diligently, and IT experts are also working.”

He said the Commission felt “cheerful and enthusiastic”, recognising widespread public anticipation: “Everyone is waiting, and voters are eager to cast their votes.”

The upcoming national election will feature 57 registered parties, including the BNP, Jamaat and the NCP – while the Awami League sits out for the first time due to its suspended registration