TDS Desk:

Political parties will receive their electoral symbols tomorrow, January 21, ahead of Bangladesh’s thirteenth general election, with the official campaign period commencing the following day. For the first time, the use of posters has been banned entirely — a historic prohibition that is driving parties to rely heavily on direct public engagement and a push across social media platforms. Creating digital content to capture voter attention now forms a central pillar of campaign strategy.

Voting for both the parliamentary election and a referendum is slated for February 12, according to the Election Commission’s schedule. Scrutiny of nomination papers and subsequent appeal hearings have already concluded. Following symbol allocations tomorrow, candidates will launch their campaigns this Thursday.

Senior leaders from various parties confirm their electoral campaign plans are now final. While traditional methods including public rallies, direct contact, and courtyard meetings will proceed, the ban on posters and the need to reach younger voters have triggered extensive digital planning. Parties have composed election–themed songs to attract support and candidates across constituencies are producing Facebook and YouTube content to present their pledges clearly. This digital push will officially begin on the very first day of campaigning.

EC has imposed a total ban on using posters for this election, a first in the country’s history. It has also strictly prohibited drone usage and any overseas campaign activities. An EC gazette issued on November 11 cites environmental protection and cost control as reasons for the ban on posters. No candidate is allowed to use more than twenty billboards either. The EC maintains a complete ban on both using drones and campaigning abroad.

New regulations also impose strict controls on social media campaigning. Using artificial intelligence for deceptive propaganda is forbidden.

The electoral code of conduct carries severe penalties for violations. Any candidate found in breach faces up to six months’ imprisonment or a fine of BDT 150,000; political parties are also subject to fines of BDT 150,000. In cases of serious misconduct, the commission holds the power to cancel a candidate’s eligibility after investigation.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party will launch its election campaign from Sylhet on Thursday, with its Chairman Tarique Rahman arriving in the city by air on the evening of January 21. His formal campaigning for the upcoming parliamentary election begins the following morning with visits to the shrines of Hazrat Shah Jalal (R.) and Hazrat Shah Paran (R.). He will then deliver the keynote address at the party’s first rally, scheduled for 11 a.m. at the Sylhet Alia Madrasa field.

Concluding the Sylhet event, Rahman will depart for Dhaka via road, stopping to address a second rally at the Ainpur playground in Maulvibazar’s Sherpur, between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. A third rally in Shayestaganj, Habiganj, will follow later that day.

Alongside rallies and direct public contact, BNP is prioritising a major social media push, according to multiple party sources. The party’s media cell has produced a series of campaign videos for release under Election Commission rules, while activists will run parallel online campaigns for individual candidates.

“We will abide by the ban on wall posters,” BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed told journalists. “Campaigning will be conducted in line with the code of conduct through leaflets, handbills, banners, festoons, and other printed materials. At the same time, our IT cell and media cell are engaged in outreach on social media. Content is being produced in line with current demands to convey the BNP’s plans to people at all levels. By maintaining this continuity, the party’s agenda will be taken to the public through a steady stream of new content.”

The party’s Central Election Steering Committee yesterday urged its nominated candidates to conduct all campaigning strictly within the commission’s regulations.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami will begin its campaign in Dhaka with a public rally and grassroots outreach on January 22. The party’s top leadership will tour northern Bangladesh on January 23 and 24, with the party’s Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman addressing several rallies as chief guest.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami is also emphasising digital outreach: party workers say election–themed songs and content showcasing its manifesto on Facebook and YouTube will be used to attract voters.

The National Citizen Party, which styles itself as youth-led, is planning a campaign centred almost entirely on social media. “Our campaign will primarily centre on social media, and we have prepared accordingly. We are producing a song themed around the ‘Shapla Koli’ (Waterlily bud, the party’s symbol for the poll), using it to place emphasis on the cultural dimension as well,” said Monira Sharmin, a member of the party’s central convening and election steering committees.

Independent candidates have already begun informal campaigning, sharing videos and photographs of local events on social media to increase visibility ahead of the poll.