JS polls: 1,967 candidates to contest

A total of 305 candidates have withdrawn their nominations for the upcoming 13th Jatiya Sangsad (JS) elections, leaving 1,967 contenders in the fray.

Election Commission (EC) Secretariat Director (Public Relations) and Information Officer Md. Ruhul Amin Mallick confirmed the figure late last night. He said the 1,967 candidates - comprising both party nominees and independents - will contest in 298 constituencies, excluding Pabna-1 and Pabna-2.

According to EC officials, 2,585 nomination papers were initially submitted for 300 seats. Of these, 1,858 were declared valid, while 726 were rejected. Subsequently, 639 appeals were filed, and following the appeal process, 431 candidates have restored their candidacy. 

As per the election schedule, the deadline for withdrawal of candidatures expired at 5 pm yesterday.

 Symbols will be allotted today, and election campaigning will begin tomorrow, January 22. 

Campaigning will continue until 48 hours before polling day.

Voting for the 13th JS elections and referendum will be held on Thursday, February 12, from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm without interruption. Balloting will take place using transparent ballot boxes and printed ballot papers.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin announced the schedule for the 13th parliamentary (JS) elections in his address to the nation on December 11. The last date for submission of nomination papers was December 29.