BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman is scheduled to deliver a televised address on Bangladesh Television (BTV) next Monday. The Election Commission (EC) has instructed the BTV Director General to make the necessary arrangements for the broadcast.

The EC issued clear guidelines for allocating slots to party leaders for televised addresses ahead of the upcoming national referendum and the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election-2026.

In a press release signed by Md. Ashadul Haque, Assistant Director (Public Relations) at the EC Secretariat, the commission emphasised that creating a fair, free, and credible electoral environment is crucial for a transparent election. Equal opportunities for all candidates in election campaigns on state television contribute significantly to such an environment.

The release further stated that BTV must follow the EC’s directives when allocating campaign slots to party leaders. According to Sub-rule (g) of Rule 6 (Public Meetings, Rallies and Assemblies) of the Jatiya Sangsad Election Code of Conduct, 2025, slots should be allocated based on the chronological order of written applications received.

BTV is also required to determine the duration of each party leader’s slot and schedule the recording in consultation with the respective party.

The press release noted that applications for campaign broadcasts would be accommodated in the order they were received. However, no requests have been submitted by parties other than the BNP. 

As a result, the EC has instructed BTV to ensure that the BNP chairman’s address is aired in the final slot on 9 February, in accordance with the party’s request.

In the upcoming national election, 51 parties have nominated candidates. They will be allowed to campaign until 7:30 am on 10 February ahead of the vote on 12 February.

The BNP, contesting under the ‘paddy sheaf’ symbol, has the highest number of candidates at 292. Following them is Islami Andolan Bangladesh with 253 candidates. 

Independent candidates rank third in terms of numbers. Jamaat-e-Islami, under the ‘balance’ symbol, has 224 candidates, while the Jatiya Party fields 192, Ganadhikar Parishad 90, and NCP 32 candidates.

Previously, during the 2008 ninth parliamentary election and the 2013 tenth parliamentary election, televised addresses by party leaders were aired towards the end of the campaign period.