Bangladesh’s Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A.M.M. Nasir Uddin has announced that the 13th National Parliamentary Election will be held on February 12, ending weeks of speculation. Amid this announcement, questions arose over whether BNP’s acting chairman Tareque Rahman, currently residing in London, can register as a voter or contest in the election.

Election Commission (EC) officials clarified that under the Representation of the People Order, the Constitution, and the Voter List Act, any Bangladeshi citizen meeting legal qualifications can register as a voter or candidate, even from abroad. Rahman may apply online or through the Bangladesh High Commission in the UK. He must register as a voter by December 29 and submit his nomination paper by the same date.

Officials added that unless Rahman has acquired foreign citizenship or is legally disqualified, he can participate remotely. BNP leaders, however, indicated he might return to Bangladesh soon. The EC’s schedule sets nomination scrutiny for December 30–January 4, appeals until January 18, and campaigning until February 10.