The year 2025 was one of the most consequential in the history of the Bangladesh Election Commission (EC), as the constitutional body navigated unprecedented preparations for a dual electoral exercise - the 13th national election and a nationwide referendum - scheduled together on February?12,?2026. The EC's work throughout the year encompassed legal reforms, logistical planning, voter outreach, stakeholder engagement, security arrangements and institutional strengthening against a backdrop of sustained political transition.
From early in the year, the Commission accelerated preparations for the national polls. Following the interim government's mandate, the EC began developing a detailed operational framework to manage what will be the first combined parliamentary election and referendum in the country's history. The roadmap, unveiled in late?August, set out 24 priority tasks, including discussions with political parties and stakeholders, and mandated that the election schedule be declared at least 60?days before the voting day.
In June and July, the EC took early steps to strengthen its institutional capacity. It formed five seven member coordination committees to supervise preparatory activities such as polling officer training, electorate registration, field logistics and voter list updates. These committees were tasked with monitoring progress and reporting back to the Commission Secretariat to ensure readiness well ahead of schedule.
A critical institutional move came with the EC's regaining authority to directly select polling centres for the national election. Under new guidelines issued in June, the Commission's own officials - rather than district level committees - were granted the sole authority to establish polling locations to support free and fair election conduct, emphasising the importance of suitable, accessible venues for all voters.
In 2025, the Bangladesh Election Commission oversaw significant political party registration and compliance measures. The EC opened registration for new parties, extending deadlines to June 22, and vetted applications to ensure statutory compliance. Several new parties, including the National Citizen Party, received official registration and electoral symbols. Notably, the Awami League's registration was cancelled by the Election Commission following a government ban on all of the party's activities under national security legislation.
Throughout 2025, the EC repeatedly communicated that it was readying key electoral elements, including ensuring accurate and updated voter lists, strengthening administrative procedures and maintaining coordination with law enforcement agencies. Senior election officials repeatedly affirmed that the Commission had no significant barriers in implementing its plans for a February election, reflecting institutional confidence in its overall preparedness.
On December?11, the Commission officially announced that the parliamentary election and the referendum would be held on February?12,?2026, finalising the long anticipated schedule. Nomination submission was set for December?12-29, with scrutiny from December?30-January?4, appeals to be filed until January?9, and withdrawal of candidature open until January?20. The symbol allocation was scheduled for January?21, and campaign activities were slated to begin on January?22 and run until 48?hours before polling day. These structured timelines were designed to ensure clarity and procedural order across all phases of the election process.
In addition to schedule management, the EC issued multiple operational directives to reinforce neutrality and discipline. For example, following the announcement of the polls schedule, it instructed all potential candidates and political groups to remove existing campaign materials within 48?hours to uphold a regulated pre campaign environment.
One major focus for the EC was expanding voter participation. The Commission extended the registration deadline on the Postal Vote BD app to January?5,?2026, enabling expatriate Bangladeshis and eligible special category voters to register for postal voting. This final extension was part of a broader effort to make participation more inclusive, especially for voters residing abroad. Activity around the Postal Vote BD system reflected the Commission's commitment to accommodating a growing and geographically dispersed electorate. (Internal EC announcements, December 30, 2025)
Security preparedness was also a major theme of the EC's year. In December, the Commission issued special circulars directing law enforcement and administrative bodies to maintain peaceful, fair and festive election conditions. These included plans for sustained deployments of security personnel in collaboration with civil authorities throughout the polling period, underscoring the seriousness with which the EC approached electoral security and order.
Engagement with civil society and observer groups marked another important dimension of the Commission's work. In September, the EC opened dialogues with representatives from universities, professional bodies, NGOs and think tanks to gather input on ensuring credible and transparent elections. This engagement aimed at building confidence among diverse stakeholders and strengthening the integrity of the electoral process.
Budgetary considerations were also relevant in 2025. The Commission sought substantial funding - approximately Tk?2,800?crore - to support national and local electoral processes, reflecting the scale of preparation required for a combined election and referendum. It communicated these fiscal needs to the government to ensure adequate resource allocation for the polls.
As 2025 draws to a close, the EC's work has laid out a comprehensive operational framework for the upcoming polls, blending logistical precision, legal planning and outreach efforts. With the election and referendum now scheduled and key mechanisms in place, the Commission enters 2026 poised to administer a historic electoral event. Its performance in managing the February polls will be a significant measure of public confidence and institutional capability in Bangladesh's evolving democratic landscape.
