 "Bangladesh to vote on Feb 12 in first national election after Sheikh Hasina’s ouster")
Bangladesh will hold its first national election after the ouster of Sheikh Hasina on February 12, Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin announced on Thursday.
Nasir Uddin said the national referendum on the ‘July charter’ will also be held on the same day. The charter refers to proposed reforms to the state’s affairs in the aftermath of ouster of Hasina’s government.
Nasir Uddin said the campaigning will start on January 22 and conclude at 7:30 am on February 10.
Elections will be held on 300 parliamentary seats, according to Nasir Uddin.
Currently, Khaleda Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is seen as a frontrunner. Hasina’s party, Bangladesh Awami League (BAL) has been banned under an anti-terrorism law in what critics all an act of political retribution.
In August 2024, weeks of protests and street violence spiralled out of controlled and forced then-Prime Minister Hasina to flee the country for her life. Since her flight, Bangladesh has been run by an unelected interim administration of Muhammad Yunus propped by the military and agitating groups.
Outlining the schedule for election, Nasir Uddin said that the last date for submitting nomination papers will be December 29, the nomination papers will be selected from December 30 to January 4, the appeal against the decision of the returning officer will be filed on January 11, and the appeal will be disposed of from January 12 to 18.
The last date for withdrawal of candidature will be January 20, the final list of candidates will be published and symbols will be allotted on January 21, and voting will be held on February 12, according to Nasir Uddin.
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