Political parties are stepping up preparations for the upcoming polls, with candidates nearly finalized, alliances taking shape, and seat-sharing negotiations in full swing. Across the country, the election atmosphere is unmistakable: streets are filled with posters, rallies are drawing large crowds, and processions compete for public attention.

The spotlight now turns to the Election Commission (EC), which has completed preparations for the nation’s first-ever twin exercises — the 13th parliamentary elections and the referendum on July charter reforms — scheduled for February. Senior EC officials indicated that the election timeline will likely be announced either this evening or tomorrow, officially triggering the electoral process.

Following tradition, the EC will meet President Mohammed Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban today at noon. The commission previously met Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed and held talks with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus. State-run Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar have been asked to record Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin’s address to the nation, which may be broadcast today or tomorrow.

“We have completed all preparations to conduct the polls,” Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud told The Daily Star, noting that ensuring a level playing field formally falls under the EC’s jurisdiction only after the schedule is announced.

Unlike previous elections, many parties have already finalized their potential candidates. The BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami have named aspirants, many of whom have started reaching out to voters, though formal campaigning will begin only after returning officers allocate symbols.

BNP Moves on Seat-Sharing Talks

The BNP has announced aspirants in 272 constituencies, which has angered alliance partners who say they were not consulted. To resolve tensions, the BNP will start seat-sharing discussions today. A committee led by Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will meet alliance partners — the 12-party alliance and the Gonotontro Moncho and Jatiyatabadi Somomona Jote — in phases.

Allies are collectively demanding that the BNP set aside at least 222 seats for them. However, insiders say the BNP may reserve only around 15 of the 28 remaining vacant seats for partners. BNP leaders argue that giving away too many seats could risk defeat, as allies would contest under their own symbols, potentially helping Jamaat or rebel candidates. To manage this, BNP has proposed creating a platform under which partners would coordinate election activities, possibly named the Democratic Reform Alliance. Partners may be offered positions in the upper house if established.

Jamaat Follows One-Candidate-Per-Seat Rule

Jamaat-e-Islami was first to unofficially announce candidates for all 300 seats, later revising some names. Since September, Jamaat and its eight-party alliance have staged protests to press for proportional representation and other demands. Seat-sharing talks began yesterday, with the guiding principle of “one candidate for one seat.” Each party is conducting surveys to identify the strongest contenders, with the final list to be revealed after the election schedule is announced.

Tensions remain among alliance members. While some parties submitted lists of over 100 names, Jamaat sources said they are unwilling to relinquish more than 60–70 seats. IAB Secretary General Maulana Yunus Ahmed stated that candidates will be selected based on popularity, qualifications, and social influence, and all parties will review each other’s choices before finalizing agreements.

NCP Forms New Alliance

The National Citizen Party (NCP) said 1,484 aspirants collected nomination forms. “We will finalize the candidates soon,” said NCP Senior Joint Member Secretary Tasnim Jara. After months of discussions, the NCP, Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party), and Bangladesh Rastro Songskar Andolan formed a new coalition — the Gonotantrik Songskar Jote — on Sunday. Alliance convener Nahid Islam said any party aligned with the July uprising’s spirit or interested in state reform may join, with the coalition contesting under a single symbol.

Other Coalitions Emerge

On Monday, factions of the Jatiya Party led by Anisul Islam Mahmud and Anwar Hossain Manju, along with 16 other parties, announced the National Democratic Front. Participating parties include the Manju-led JP faction, Bangladesh Jatiya Party, Bangladesh Sanskritic Muktijot, Bangladesh Nationalist Movement, and Bangladesh Muslim League.

Separately, nine leftist parties, including the Communist Party of Bangladesh, Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal, Gonotantrik Biplobi Party, Biplobi Communist League, Somajtantrik Andolon, Bangladesh Jasod, Oikya-NAP, Basod (Mahbub), and Basod (Marxist), formed the Ganatantrik Jukta Front on November 30, aiming to contest all 300 seats.

The Election Commission has published the final voter list, completed delimitation of all 300 constituencies, approved two new parties with two more pending, updated the electoral code of conduct, and launched a mobile app for expatriate voter registration. Meanwhile, the government has amended the Representation of the People Order and conducted major reshuffles in field administration and the police.