Nationwide election campaign begins ahead of February 12 voting

With election symbols allocated yesterday, campaigning for the 13th parliamentary election formally began nationwide today ahead of the February 12 polls.

As candidates are now free to take their messages to voters, the political party leaders along with their supporters are seen processions, man-to-man outreach, gatherings, public meetings and mass communications across urban and rural constituencies.

The BNP’s grand rally to formally launch its election campaign began at Sylhet’s Alia Madrasa ground at 10:50am today, with party chairman Tarique Rahman attending as chief guest.

Party leaders and activist entered the venue with small processions, chanting party slogans.

National Citizen Party (NCP) officially launch its election campaign with offering prayers at Dhaka's Tin Netar Mazar (mausoleum of three national leaders) at 11:30am near Doyel Chattar on Dhaka University campus.

They also offered prayers at the grave of Sharif Osman Hadi at Dhaka University.

Top party leaders, including (NCP) Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary, the candidate of Dhaka-8 constituency, attended the programme.

Jamaat-e-Islami will hold an election rally at 2:00pm at the Adarsha School ground in Mirpur, Dhaka.

Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman along with leaders of the 10-party alliance, is scheduled to address the rally. The venue is located within Dhaka-15, the constituency of the Jamaat Ameer.

Candidates from major parties and independents are campaigning through door-to-door canvassing, neighbourhood walks, street rallies, and large public meetings to connect directly with voters.

Many were seen placing banners as Election Commission bans hanging of posters.

Across the country, candidates are focusing on intensive man-to-man campaigning – walking through residential areas, greeting voters face-to-face, and addressing gatherings in community centres and open grounds.

In districts, many candidates took to the social media to inform voters and netizens how they start their election campaigning. Several started their campaigning with offering prayers at the graves of their parents or martyred of the July uprising.

Under the schedule set by the Election Commission (EC), candidates have until 7:30am on February 10 to campaign, 48 hours before voting begins on February 12.

This time 1,981 candidates -- including 288 from BNP, 224 from Jamaat-e-Islami, 32 from the National Citizen Party, and 249 as independents -- are vying for 300 parliamentary seats, according to the Election Commission.

Besides, 253 candidates from Islami Andolan Bangladesh, 192 from Jatiya Party, 90 from Gono Odhikar Parishad, 65 from the Communist Party of Bangladesh, 42 from Insaniyat Biplab Bangladesh, 39 from Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal, 30 from Amar Bangladesh party, 34 from Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, 26 from Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, and 19 from Gono Forum are also competing in the race.

In a break from the usual, voters will cast their ballots not only for the national election but also in a referendum to decide on key constitutional reforms aimed at strengthening fragile democratic institutions and re-balancing state powers.”