Election 2026: 3 EC officials appointed as returning officers for first time

For the first time in the country’s parliamentary election history, the Election Commission (EC) appointed three of its own officials, along with two divisional commissioners and 64 district deputy commissioners (DCs), as returning officers for the February 12 election and referendum.

According to the EC officials, the Regional Election Officers of Dhaka, Chattogram and Khulna have been given the responsibilities of returning officers for specific constituencies in the election.

Besides, the divisional commissioners for Dhaka and Chattogram as well the deputy commissioners of 64 districts were made the returning officers in the 13th parliamentary election and the referendum on the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order 2025.

The Dhaka Regional Election Officer will act as the returning officer for Dhaka-13 and 15 constituencies, while the Chattogram Regional Election Officer for Chattogram-11 and Khulna Regional Election Officer for Khulna-3 constituency.

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin on Thursday announced the election schedule for the national election and referendum.

According to the election schedule, the deadline for the submission of nomination paper is December 29, while the scrutiny of nomination paper is on December 30-January 4 and the last date for the withdrawal of candidature is January 20.

The election campaign will start on January 22 and continue till 48 hours before the balloting period (7:30am on February 10).

The last date for submission of appeal against the decisions of the returning officers is January 11 and the appeals would be disposed of on January 12-18. The returning officers will publish the final lists of candidates and allocate electoral symbols on January 21.

The balloting will be held from 7:30am to 4:30pm without any break on February 12.