Political parties active through the 5th-August 2024 student-mass uprising instantly welcomed the much-envisaged election schedule, saying that the people will be able to exercise their franchise at the 13th parliamentary election after the end of a decade-and-a- half-long "fascist regime" led by Sheikh Hasina.
As planned on an eventual consensus among the political stakeholders, constitutional referendum will take place simultaneously alongside the general election.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin announced the schedule in a recorded speech aired by state-run Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar at 6:00pm, following prior consultation with and consent by the head of interim government and the head of state.
"On February 12 of 2026, Thursday, the 13th general elections across 300 constituencies, and concurrently a referendum on the Implementation Order of the July National Charter on Constitutional Reform 2025 will be held," the CEC said, dispelling wild speculations.
Major political parties, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and National Citizens Party (NCP), hailed the development on the cusp of transition.
He presented detailed deadlines for the must-dos in the run-up to the next parliamentary election, for which the nations has been keeping an eye since the interim government took over in August 2024.
According to the CEC's speech, the last date for filing nomination is December 29 and the scrutiny of nomination papers will take place between December 30 and January 4.
The last date of filing appeal with the Election Commission (EC) against the order of returning officer is January 11, to be followed by appeal-settlement duration between January 12 and 18.
Withdrawal of candidature is scheduled for January 20. The returning officer will publish the final candidates' list and allocate symbols on January 21.
Thereafter will kick-start election campaign by candidates on January 22 and the campaign trail ends at 7:30am on February 10.
Voting will take place between 7.30am and 4.30pm, as the timeframe has been extended by an hour from the usual schedules of other previous national elections because of the twin- voting. In addition, the number of secret chambers for ballot-sealing at polling stations will also be increased.
The EC announced the schedule for the national elections 16 months after the interim government (IG) took office. Led by Professor Muhammad Yunus, the IG was sworn in on August 8 following the fall of Awami League government on August 5 in the past year.
The CEC encapsulates his election-schedule speech with the hope that the political parties and contestants will participate in the electoral process in a cordial ambiance.
"We expect cordial participation and active cooperation from all political parties, candidates and voters in the electoral process," he says.
In his speech, the CEC said the only way to establishing people's representative ownership over the state is holding a fair election.
"Unfortunately, absence of an eligible election has often faded our tradition and a holistic expectation," he tells the nation, adding that the July revolution has taken place against such a backdrop.
Highlighting the initiatives undertaken by his office, the CEC says as per the latest list released on November 18, there are 12,76,95,183 voters in the country, including 6,48,14,907 males and 6,28,79,042 females.
Mr Nasir Uddin notes that the imminent national poll is going to be a unique and significant one in the country's history for a number of reasons.
"Firstly, this is an election to decide on the desired reforms as well as the restoration of the true democratic trend," he says, adding that the national parliament election and the referendum will be held the same day, which is a new experience.
Secondly, this election is a unique opportunity for all the state and democratic institutions concerned to prove their capabilities and restore their image.
Third, this election demands the introduction of a harmonious democratic competition among political parties in national interest after a long democratic movement and struggle.
Fourthly, this election is being given an effective form by refining the almost ineffective postal-voting system.
"In particular, our remittance warriors, namely expatriate Bangladeshi voters, who are one of the driving forces of Bangladesh, are being brought under the balloting process for the first time, says the Election Commission chief.
Similarly, he adds, voters in legal custody, government employees working outside their constituencies and people involved in the election process will vote through postal ballot for the first time.
The CEC also draws all stakeholders' attention to the misuse of digital tools like artificial intelligence to spread misinformation.
"Necessary measures will be taken (against those responsible) to prevent it according to the prevailing laws of the country," he warns.
The CEC also urges the candidates to abide by the electoral code of conduct and assures of providing all the support from the EC to hold a fair and credible election.
Chief Adviser Prof Mohammad Yunus congratulated the CEC for announcing the election schedule.
Following the general election held in 2008, no general election was held under a non-political government as, after it came to power, the Awami League (AL) government amended the laws removing the provision of non-partisan caretaker government.
All the consequential national elections held on January 5th of 2014, December 30th of 2018 and January 7th of 2024 ignited controversy as they were not participatory. Opposition parties blamed the AL government for committing massive irregularities such as vote rigging, ballot stuffing on previous night of the scheduled day.
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