A total of 1,981 candidates are contesting the 13th Jatiya Sangsad (National Parliament) election in 298 constituencies. Of them, 1,732 candidates are nominated by 51 registered political parties, while 249 are independent candidates.
The deadline for withdrawal of candidacy was Tuesday. Following the completion of the withdrawal process, the Election Commission (EC) released the final party-wise candidate statistics on Wednesday night. Voting will be held on 12 February in 300 parliamentary constituencies. However, candidates in Pabna-1 and Pabna-2 will be allowed to withdraw their nominations until 24 January.
According to EC data, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has fielded candidates in the highest number of constituencies—288 seats. Jamaat-e-Islami is contesting in 224 seats, while Islami Andolan Bangladesh has candidates in 253 seats. The Jatiya Party (JP) is contesting 192 seats, and the National Citizens’ Party (NCP) has nominated candidates in 32 seats.
Among other parties, the Gono Odhikar Parishad has 90 candidates, the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) 65, Socialist Party of Bangladesh (Marxist) 39, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish 34, Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party 30, The Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) 26, Khelafat Majlish 21, Gano Forum 19, Ganosanghati Andolon 17, and Nagorik Oikya 11 candidates.
To contest a national election with party symbols, political parties must be registered with the EC. Currently, 60 political parties are registered. The registration of the Awami League remains suspended, barring the party from participating in this election. Additionally, eight registered parties have not fielded any candidates.
Notably, although JSD had earlier announced that it would not participate in the election, the EC’s final list after the withdrawal phase shows six JSD candidates in the race. Meanwhile, Bangladesh JSD has 11 candidates, and JSD has 26 candidates contesting the election.
>> 13th Parliamentary Election: 1,981 Candidates in 298 Seats, BNP Fields Highest Number
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