Photo: BSS

DHAKA, Jan 20, 2026 (BSS) - Today is the last day of withdrawing candidacy in the upcoming 13th national elections. 

According to the election schedule announced by the Election Commission (EC), candidates can withdraw their nominations until 5:00 pm today. The allotment of election symbols will take place tomorrow (Wednesday), while electioneering will begin on January 22.

Polling for the 13th parliamentary elections will be held on February 12 from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm without any break. Voting in both the parliamentary elections and the referendum will be conducted through ballot papers using transparent ballot boxes.

An EC circular on withdrawal of candidacy cites Article 16 of the Representation of the People Order (RPO), 1972, which outlines the legal provisions regarding party nomination and withdrawal.

According to the EC circular, the final list of contesting candidates will be published on January 21 after the allocation of symbols. The names will be listed in Bangla alphabetical order in Form-5, as prescribed by the relevant laws and rules.

Meanwhile, the appeal process against the decisions of Returning Officers on acceptance and rejection of nomination papers has already been completed.

EC officials said a total of 645 appeals were filed with the Election Commission. Of these, 425 appeals were accepted, 209 were rejected and 11 were withdrawn.

As per the election schedule, appeals were accepted against Returning Officers' decisions from January 5 to January 9, and hearings on the appeals were held from January 10 to January 18.