Deadline for JS polls nomination ends today, no possibility of extension: Jahangir Alam 

The deadline for submission of nomination papers in the 12th parliamentary elections ended on Thursday with no chance of an extension, Election Commission (EC) Secretariat Secretary Md Jahangir Alam said today.

While briefing reporters at the Nirbachon Bhaban this afternoon (30 November), he said, "Aspiring candidates were asked to submit their nomination papers to the returning officers by 4:00pm today. There is no possibility to extend the schedule."

Asked if the BNP has officially boycotted the elections, Jahangir Alam said, "So, are the elections taking place without the BNP's participation? You [reporters] figure it out."

The nomination papers will be scrutinised on 1-4 December and then the candidatures can be withdrawn by 17 December.

He further said, "We [the Election Commission will announce on Friday how many parties are contesting in which seat and the total number of candidates."

The 12th parliamentary election will be held on 7 January as per the polls schedule announced by Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal on 15 November last.

The appeals against the decisions of the returning officers will be received and disposed of on 5 to 15 December and the electoral symbols will be distributed among the candidates on 18 December.

The electioneering can be conducted from 18 December to 8:00am on 5 January (till 48 hours before the balloting).

A total of 119,691,633 voters under 42,103 polling stations throughout the country are eligible to cast their votes in the 12th general election.

The last 11th parliamentary election was held on 30 December 2018.