Campaigning ends, all eyes now on Thursday’s polls

Voters across the country will head to the polls on Thursday as campaigning for the 13th parliamentary election and referendum officially ended at 7:30am on Tuesday. The nation now braces for voting amid a blend of anticipation, caution and festive enthusiasm.

Polling will take place in 299 constituencies from 7:30am to 4:30pm on Thursday. Voting in the Sherpur-3 (Sreebardi–Jhenaigati) constituency has been postponed following the death of a candidate. A total of 2,029 candidates are contesting the election, including 51 political parties and 275 independents.

According to the Election Commission (EC), major parties in the race include the BNP with 290 candidates, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami with 227, Islami Andolan Bangladesh with 257, the Jatiya Party with 200, the Gono Odhikar Parishad with 94, and the National Citizens Party with 32. Campaigning began on 22 January and concluded on 10 February in line with the election schedule.

EC officials said all preparations have been completed to ensure a free, fair and peaceful vote. As part of security measures, public meetings, rallies and processions have been banned for 96 hours before and after polling day. Movement restrictions have also been imposed, barring individuals from staying outside their respective constituencies from 7am on 10 February to 4:30pm on 13 February, except for election officials, authorised personnel and registered voters or residents.

The EC said the restrictions aim to maintain a neutral, orderly and peaceful environment during the election and referendum.

Mobile phone ban withdrawn after backlash

Meanwhile, the EC withdrew its decision to ban mobile phone possession within polling centres just hours after issuing the directive, following widespread criticism from political parties, journalists and civil society.

The initial order, issued on 8 February, prohibited carrying mobile phones within a 400-yard radius of polling centres, allowing exceptions only for select election and security officials. Several political parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizens Party, opposed the move, while journalist bodies said it could restrict information flow and conceal irregularities.

Facing mounting pressure, EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed announced on Tuesday afternoon that the decision had been withdrawn, with a formal circular to follow. The episode has raised questions among observers about the commission’s policy consistency and transparency.

Telecom services to remain uninterrupted

In a separate directive, the EC instructed authorities to ensure uninterrupted telecommunications services during the election period. Government divisions were asked to coordinate road and development works to prevent damage to optical fibre cables and other critical infrastructure, stressing the importance of seamless communication for election operations.

Foreign observers, massive security deployment

According to the EC, 540 foreign observers and journalists have arrived to monitor the election and referendum. This includes around 60 representatives from election commissions and related institutions, about 330 observers from international organisations, and nearly 150 journalists from 45 international media outlets.

To maintain law and order, around 970,000 members of law enforcement agencies have been deployed nationwide, alongside 1,051 executive magistrates from 8 to 14 February to conduct mobile courts.

Tk32 lakh fines for code violations

Over the past month, mobile courts have filed 259 cases for violations of the electoral code of conduct, collecting fines amounting to Tk3,215,950. Monitoring intensified in the days leading up to the end of campaigning, with election officials warning of strict legal action against any candidate or party found violating the rules.