Dhaka: The deadline for submission of the nomination papers in the upcoming 13th national elections will not be extended. Senior Secretary of Election Commission (EC) Secretariat Akhtar Ahmed confirmed this to journalists at Nirbachan Bhaban today.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the polls schedule set the last day for submitting nomination papers to the Returning Officer/Assistant Returning Officer, which expired at 5 pm today. In an address to the nation on December 11, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin had announced the schedule for the 13th parliamentary elections.
As per the schedule, the scrutiny of the nomination papers is set to begin tomorrow, December 30, and will continue until January 4. A revised decision by the Election Commission on December 18 allows candidates to appeal against the decision of the Returning Officer from January 5 to January 9, which is two days less than the previous schedule.
The date for the disposal of appeals is scheduled from January 10 to January 18, extending two days more than the EC's earlier decision. The final date for withdrawal of candidacy is set for January 20, with the allocation of symbols taking place on January 21.
The voting for the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election and the referendum is scheduled to be held on February 12, from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm, without any break.