The Election Commission (EC) has clarified that Tarique Rahman, acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), can register as a voter and contest the 13th National Parliamentary Election from abroad, ending weeks of speculation. Chief Election Commissioner A M M Nasir Uddin announced the election and constitutional referendum schedule on 12 February 2026 in a televised address on 11 December at 6 p.m.

EC officials stated that under the Representation of the People Order, the Constitution, and the Voter List Act, any Bangladeshi citizen who meets eligibility requirements and does not violate disqualifications can be a voter or candidate.

If Tarique Rahman wishes to be a candidate, he must be registered as a voter by 29 December, the same deadline for submitting nomination papers. According to voter registration laws, Bangladeshis living abroad can register through Form-2 either online or via the Bangladesh Embassy in the host country. Currently, the Bangladesh Embassy in the UK is facilitating voter registration, so Tarique Rahman can register and vote from London without any legal obstacles.

To contest, the nomination form can be submitted personally or through a proposer/representative, and physical presence in Bangladesh is not mandatory. Constitutional eligibility requires:

Being a Bangladeshi citizen

Minimum age 25

Disqualifications include:

Declared non-existent by a court

Fugitive or bankrupt without debt clearance

Holding foreign citizenship or allegiance (restorable upon renunciation of foreign citizenship)

Certain criminal convictions, including moral turpitude with sentences of two years or more, or sentences under Bangladesh Collaborators (Special Tribunal) Order 1972

Holding any profitable government office

Election Timeline:

Nomination submission: 29 December 2025

Nomination scrutiny: 30 Dec – 4 Jan 2026

Appeal deadline: 11 Jan 2026

Appeal disposal: 12–18 Jan 2026

Withdrawal deadline: 20 Jan 2026

Symbol allocation: 21 Jan 2026

Campaigning: 22 Jan – 10 Feb 2026, 7:30 a.m.

BNP leaders have indicated that Tarique Rahman will return to Bangladesh to complete voter registration. EC officials emphasized that there will be no obstacles for him to be registered as a voter or contest the election from abroad, provided all legal requirements are fulfilled.