EC Publishes Final List of Candidates for 300 Seats, See the List Here
The Election Commission (EC) has officially released the final list of candidates for the 300 parliamentary constituencies of the country following the expiry of the deadline for withdrawal of candidacy. According to the EC's primary data, a total of 1,967 candidates from various political parties, including BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and the newly formed National Citizens' Party (NCP), alongside independents, are set to compete in the 13th National Parliamentary Election.
EC sources confirmed that 305 candidates withdrew their nomination papers nationwide on the final day, Tuesday (January 20). Symbols will be allotted to the contesting candidates today, Wednesday (January 21), and official election campaigning is set to begin tomorrow, Thursday (January 22).
The Road to Candidacy
The journey to the final list involved rigorous scrutiny and an extensive appeal process:
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Total Nominations Submitted: 3,422 (by 2,585 individuals)
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Valid after Scrutiny: 1,858 candidates
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Initially Cancelled: 726 nominations
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Appeals Filed: 639
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Candidacy Restored: 431 candidates
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Final Contestants: 1,967 (compared to 1,970 in the 2024 12th Parliamentary Election)
A Shift in the Political Landscape
Nearly 50 political parties are participating in the upcoming polls. While most candidates are nominees of registered political parties, over a hundred independent candidates remain in the fray. Public interest is particularly high regarding the participation of BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and the National Citizens' Party (NCP)—a party formed in the aftermath of the student-led mass uprising.
EC Vows Zero Tolerance on Code of Conduct
The Election Commission has reiterated its commitment to a free and fair election. Returning officers have been strictly instructed to maintain absolute neutrality. The Commission stated that there will be no compromise regarding the enforcement of the electoral code of conduct, and necessary steps are being taken to ensure law and order while encouraging voters to reach the polling centers.
As per the schedule, voting will take place on Thursday, February 12, from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM without any break, using transparent ballot boxes.
