Wednesday, 14 January, 2026
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Tuesday raised serious concerns over the cancellation of candidates’ nomination papers on grounds related to dual citizenship, alleging inconsistency, selective enforcement and procedural overreach by election officials.
The party also accused a rival political organisation of collecting voters’ personal data and alleged irregularities in the design and distribution of postal ballots, claiming these could undermine the fairness of the upcoming general election.
At the same time, the BNP announced its support for a “Yes” vote in the referendum, describing itself as a pro-reform party and claiming credit for being the first to demand constitutional reforms.
A four-member BNP delegation, led by Standing Committee member and Central Election Steering Committee Chairman Nazrul Islam Khan, placed the concerns before Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin at a meeting at Nirbachan Bhaban. Other election commissioners and the EC senior secretary were present.
Briefing reporters afterwards, Nazrul Islam Khan said the issue of dual citizenship had created widespread complications affecting candidates from multiple parties, not just the BNP.
“The Constitution clearly states that once a person relinquishes foreign citizenship, he or she becomes eligible to contest elections,” he said. “The law requires an affidavit declaring citizenship status. There is no provision mandating submission of documentary proof of renunciation. Yet, in several cases, candidates have been disqualified on this ground.”
He said some Returning Officers had declared candidacies invalid over the absence of such documents, while similar disqualifications were upheld during appeal hearings by the Election Commission.
Nazrul Islam Khan noted that at least two Jamaat-e-Islami candidates had also lost their nominations on similar grounds, stressing that the review process must be applied equally to all contestants.
“Over the past 15 to 16 years, many political activists were forced to stay abroad due to repression and some obtained foreign citizenship. Under the changed political circumstances, many have returned and formally relinquished that citizenship, making them constitutionally eligible to contest elections,” he said.
“If such candidates are barred on technical or procedural excuses, it would be a gross injustice and would obstruct the competitive and fair election that the people are expecting.”
He added that BNP candidates who had renounced foreign citizenship should not be deprived of their constitutional rights under any circumstances.
On the referendum, Nazrul Islam Khan said the BNP would support a “Yes” vote. “BNP is a pro-reform party. We were the first to place reform proposals before the nation,” he said.
Postal ballot concerns
The BNP leader also alleged manipulation in the design of postal ballots, claiming that the party’s name and electoral symbol—the Sheaf of Paddy—had been placed along the fold line, making them less visible, while other parties’ symbols were positioned prominently.
“We have clearly told the Commission that such a strategy must not be applied, particularly in overseas postal ballots, and that this anomaly must be corrected immediately,” he said.
He further raised concerns over the distribution of postal ballots abroad, citing videos circulating on social media that purportedly show leaders of a particular political party handling large numbers of ballot papers in Bahrain.
According to Nazrul Islam Khan, the Election Commission acknowledged the issue and said it had contacted the Bangladeshi ambassador in Bahrain, assuring that an investigation would be conducted and action taken if irregularities were found.
Alleged voter data collection
The BNP also alleged that a particular political party has been collecting voters’ national identity card details and mobile phone numbers across the country, calling the practice “unprecedented and suspicious”.
“Such activities may be aimed at creating fake voters or influencing votes,” he said, adding that the collection of mobile financial service numbers could indicate the possibility of monetary inducements.
The party urged the Election Commission to intervene, and the EC assured that necessary measures would be taken.
Other members of the BNP delegation included Election Steering Committee Chief Coordinator Ismail Jabiullah, Barrister Ruhul Kuddus Kajol and Dr Mohammad Zakaria.
The Election Commission on December 11 announced the schedule for the 13th parliamentary election and the referendum on the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order, to be held simultaneously on February 12, 2026.
Of the 2,568 aspirants who submitted nomination papers for the 300 parliamentary constituencies, Returning Officers declared 1,842 nominations valid and 723 invalid, while the remaining applications were not examined during scrutiny.
The EC began hearing appeals against the cancellations on Saturday and is set to dispose of a total of 645 petitions by January 18.
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The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Tuesday raised serious concerns over the cancellation of candidates’ nomination papers on grounds related to dual citizenship, alleging inconsistency, selective enforcement and procedural overreach by election officials.
The party also accused a rival political organisation of collecting voters’ personal data and alleged irregularities in the design and distribution of postal ballots, claiming these could undermine the fairness of the upcoming general election.
At the same time, the BNP announced its support for a “Yes” vote in the referendum, describing itself as a pro-reform party and claiming credit for being the first to demand constitutional reforms.
A four-member BNP delegation, led by Standing Committee member and Central Election Steering Committee Chairman Nazrul Islam Khan, placed the concerns before Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin at a meeting at Nirbachan Bhaban. Other election commissioners and the EC senior secretary were present.
Briefing reporters afterwards, Nazrul Islam Khan said the issue of dual citizenship had created widespread complications affecting candidates from multiple parties, not just the BNP.
“The Constitution clearly states that once a person relinquishes foreign citizenship, he or she becomes eligible to contest elections,” he said. “The law requires an affidavit declaring citizenship status. There is no provision mandating submission of documentary proof of renunciation. Yet, in several cases, candidates have been disqualified on this ground.”
He said some Returning Officers had declared candidacies invalid over the absence of such documents, while similar disqualifications were upheld during appeal hearings by the Election Commission.
Nazrul Islam Khan noted that at least two Jamaat-e-Islami candidates had also lost their nominations on similar grounds, stressing that the review process must be applied equally to all contestants.
“Over the past 15 to 16 years, many political activists were forced to stay abroad due to repression and some obtained foreign citizenship. Under the changed political circumstances, many have returned and formally relinquished that citizenship, making them constitutionally eligible to contest elections,” he said.
“If such candidates are barred on technical or procedural excuses, it would be a gross injustice and would obstruct the competitive and fair election that the people are expecting.”
He added that BNP candidates who had renounced foreign citizenship should not be deprived of their constitutional rights under any circumstances.
On the referendum, Nazrul Islam Khan said the BNP would support a “Yes” vote. “BNP is a pro-reform party. We were the first to place reform proposals before the nation,” he said.
Postal ballot concerns
The BNP leader also alleged manipulation in the design of postal ballots, claiming that the party’s name and electoral symbol—the Sheaf of Paddy—had been placed along the fold line, making them less visible, while other parties’ symbols were positioned prominently.
“We have clearly told the Commission that such a strategy must not be applied, particularly in overseas postal ballots, and that this anomaly must be corrected immediately,” he said.
He further raised concerns over the distribution of postal ballots abroad, citing videos circulating on social media that purportedly show leaders of a particular political party handling large numbers of ballot papers in Bahrain.
According to Nazrul Islam Khan, the Election Commission acknowledged the issue and said it had contacted the Bangladeshi ambassador in Bahrain, assuring that an investigation would be conducted and action taken if irregularities were found.
Alleged voter data collection
The BNP also alleged that a particular political party has been collecting voters’ national identity card details and mobile phone numbers across the country, calling the practice “unprecedented and suspicious”.
“Such activities may be aimed at creating fake voters or influencing votes,” he said, adding that the collection of mobile financial service numbers could indicate the possibility of monetary inducements.
The party urged the Election Commission to intervene, and the EC assured that necessary measures would be taken.
Other members of the BNP delegation included Election Steering Committee Chief Coordinator Ismail Jabiullah, Barrister Ruhul Kuddus Kajol and Dr Mohammad Zakaria.
The Election Commission on December 11 announced the schedule for the 13th parliamentary election and the referendum on the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order, to be held simultaneously on February 12, 2026.
Of the 2,568 aspirants who submitted nomination papers for the 300 parliamentary constituencies, Returning Officers declared 1,842 nominations valid and 723 invalid, while the remaining applications were not examined during scrutiny.
The EC began hearing appeals against the cancellations on Saturday and is set to dispose of a total of 645 petitions by January 18.
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