Election officials have validated the nomination papers of BNP leader Tarique Rahman for the Dhaka-17 and Bogura-6 constituencies, clearing the way for his participation in the upcoming Feb. 12 parliamentary election.
The decision was announced Saturday following a formal review at the returning officer's office in Segunbagicha. Abdus Salam, an advisor to the BNP Chairperson, confirmed the news, expressing confidence that voters would elect Rahman by a significant margin.
Rahman’s return to the ballot follows nearly 18 years in exile in the United Kingdom.1 He returned to Bangladesh on Dec. 25, 2025, with his family, shortly after the High Court acquitted him of several high-profile legal cases.
Following his return, Rahman officially registered as a voter in Dhaka-17, a move that signaled his intent to seek a seat in the capital alongside his traditional stronghold in Bogura-6.
The validation of Rahman’s candidacy is part of a broader scrutiny process for the 13th parliamentary election: Dec. 19: Deadline for nomination submissions. Jan. 4: Completion of the nomination scrutiny phase. Jan. 20: Final date for candidates to withdraw. Feb. 12: Election Day.
In Bogura-6, District Returning Officer Toufikur Rahman confirmed that Tarique’s papers were among only two validated for the seat, while three other candidates were rejected. Candidates whose applications were denied still have the right to appeal the decision to the Election Commission.
The upcoming vote marks the first national election since the ouster of the previous administration in August 2024 and will be held concurrently with a referendum on constitutional reforms.
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