Leaders of the Bangladesh Awami League diligently collected nomination forms throughout the day, resulting in the sale of 1,064 forms on the inaugural day of the sales on Saturday.
Each form, priced at Tk50,000, contributed to a substantial first-day income of Tk5.32 crore.
The formal inauguration of the nomination form sale took place at 10am on Saturday when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina purchased papers for Gopalganj-3 at the Awami League office on Bangabandhu Avenue in Gulistan. Gopalganj District Awami League President Mahmud Ali Khan and General Secretary BM Sahabuddin Azam collected the nomination form on her behalf.
Although nomination papers were sold until 5pm on the first day, leaders and activists have the opportunity to collect and submit nomination papers on other days from 10 am to 4 pm.
On a visit to the Awami League central office on Saturday, this reporter observed a growing crowd after Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina collected her form and departed. Activists at the office faced increased pressure due to the influx of nomination seekers, some of whom marched to the office with drum-beating followers.
The substantial presence of leaders and activists led to severe traffic jams on Bangabandhu Avenue and the surrounding roads. To manage the situation, the road to Gulistan via Paltan Junction was closed, resulting in traffic jams from 12:00 noon to 6:00 pm in front of Mirpur Road, ScienceLab, Shahbagh, Gulistan GPO Mor, Paltan, and Press Club.
In front of the booths and the main gate of the Awami League office, large crowds gathered due to the unbridled enthusiasm of leaders and workers collecting nomination papers. To tackle the situation, the Awami League's sub-department secretary, Sayem Khan, announced a one-hour closure of the form distribution program from 1:00 p.m. The sale of nomination papers resumed at 2 pm and continued until 5 pm.
Awami League Central Committee Office Secretary Biplab Barua reported that 1,050 forms were collected directly. The distribution was widespread, with 213 forms sold from Dhaka Division, 198 from Chittagong Division, 125 from Khulna Division, 169 from Rajshahi Division, 55 from Sylhet Division, 75 from Barisal Division, 105 from Mymensingh Division, and 109 from Rangpur Division. Additionally, 14 forms were collected online, contributing Tk7 lakh to the total.
Several notable figures collected nomination forms on the first day, including office secretary Barrister Biplab Barua, who collected papers for Noakhali-5 constituency on behalf of Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader. Joint general secretary Dipu Moni purchased a nomination form for Chandpur-3 constituency, while Nuruzzaman Jewel collected one for Dhaka-9 constituency on behalf of Saber Hossain Chowdhury.
National team cricketer Shakib Al Hasan showed political interest by collecting nomination forms for Dhaka-10, Magura-1, and Magura-2 constituencies. Other prominent figures, such as Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim and State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, also obtained nomination forms for various constituencies.
Candidates are required to submit photocopies of their National Identity Cards, three passport-sized photos, and clearly mention their mobile numbers and current organizational identities when collecting the nomination forms.
The Awami League will continue to sell nomination forms to party aspirants until November 21, with each form priced at Tk50,000. The deadline for submitting the nomination form is November 30, and the party aims to finalize nominations before this date.
Nomination papers for Dhaka, Mymensingh, Sylhet, and Chittagong divisions, as well as Rangpur, Rajshahi, Khulna, and Barisal divisions, will be distributed on the second floor of the central office, while papers for other departments will be collected on the ground floor.
The Election Commission announced the schedule for the 12th parliamentary elections on November 15, setting the election date for January 7. The deadline for nomination form submission is November 30, with scrutiny scheduled between December 1 and 4. The last day for the withdrawal of candidacies is December 17.
On November 17, the Awami League formed 15 sub-committees for the 12th parliamentary elections, chaired by Sheikh Hasina, with Co-Chairman Kazi Zafar Ullah and Member Secretary Obaidul Quader. Committee members include representatives from the party's central executive council, advisory council, associate organization presidents, general secretaries, and presidents of Dhaka Metropolitan North and South Awami League.