Bangladesh’s Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A.M.M. Nasir Uddin announced that the country’s 13th parliamentary election and a national referendum on the July Charter will be held on February 12, 2025. In a televised address to the nation on December 11, he said the election will be a crucial test of institutional capability and credibility, marking the first time expatriate Bangladeshis and incarcerated individuals will be included in the voter list.

The CEC also warned against the spread of misinformation on social media, particularly the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to demean women, stating that legal action will be taken against such acts. Candidate nominations will be accepted from December 12 to 29, with verification and appeals scheduled through mid-January. Election symbols will be allocated on January 21, followed by campaigning until February 10.

This will be the first national election under the interim government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus, formed after the 2024 July uprising that ended the Awami League’s rule. Observers view the simultaneous election and referendum as a major test for the new administration’s electoral management capacity.