Formal campaigning for the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election officially began on Thursday following the completion of symbol allocation, marking the start of an intense electioneering period across the country. A total of 1,981 candidates are contesting in 298 constituencies, with voting scheduled for February 12 from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm using transparent ballot boxes.
According to the Election Commission (EC) schedule, campaigning will continue until midnight on February 10, requiring all election-related activities to conclude 48 hours before polling day.
The EC has stressed strict adherence to the Code of Conduct for Political Parties and Candidates, 2025, which guarantees equal campaigning rights while prohibiting interference with opponents' rallies, processions, or public meetings. Intimidation, disruption of public movement, or disorderly conduct is strictly forbidden.
Candidates are required to submit campaign schedules in advance to allow authorities to coordinate overlapping events. Campaigning outside Bangladesh is prohibited. Materials such as posters, banners, and festoons made of polythene, plastic, or resin are banned, and no materials can be affixed to walls, trees, electric poles, or vehicles.
Except for digital media, banners and festoons must be black-and-white, display only the candidate's photo and election symbol, and comply with size restrictions. Writing on walls, constructing gates or arches, or tampering with opponents' materials is strictly prohibited.
The EC also set limits on processions, torch marches, and vehicle-based campaigns, while allowing party leaders to travel by helicopter without throwing materials from the air. Billboards are capped at 16 feet by 9 feet, with one per union/ward and 20 per constituency. Digital campaigning must avoid AI-manipulated content, misinformation, or unverified election-related material. Candidates must provide social media account details to the EC before campaigning.
Additional restrictions include prohibiting the collection or transfer of voters' NIDs, offering cash or gifts to voters, personal attacks, offensive remarks, campaigning at religious sites or educational institutions, and loudspeaker use outside the hours of 2 pm to 8 pm with a 60-decibel sound limit. Violations of the Code of Conduct may lead to punishable offenses, ensuring a regulated and fair electoral environment for all participants.
