The official campaign trail for the 12th National Parliament elections kicks off on Monday with the withdrawal of nomination papers for all 300 seats finalized on Sunday, the Election Commission (EC) has confirmed the list of candidates ready to vie for a place in the national parliament.

A total of 1, 886 candidates are competing in this election. Among them 1529 party candidates and 357 independent candidates. This year there are 27 registered political parties in the electoral field. Out of 300 constituencies, the ruling Awami League's own candidates will vote on the boat symbol in 263 constituencies.

The Secretary of the Election Commission, Jahangir Alam said that 347 candidates have withdrawn their nomination papers on the last day of withdrawal in the 12th National Parliament elections.

The secretary said that according to the announced schedule, the last day for withdrawal of candidature in the 12th National Parliament election was December 17. According to the information sent from the honorable returning officers of 64 districts and the returning officers of Dhaka and Chattogram metropolitan constituencies, the total number of nominations was 2 thousand 716 people, and 731 people were rejected in the selection. 560 appeals were filed and 286 appeals were allowed and 274 appeals were rejected. 347 nominations have been withdrawn across the country, and 5 have been suspended. After the withdrawal of candidature, the total number of valid candidates now stands at 1, 886.

Now a total of 27 political parties are participating in the elections. Out of our 28 political parties, one party i.e. democrat party has dropped out. The secretary urged all the candidates to abide by the code of conduct of the Election Commission, he added.

(The article was published on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on December 18, 2023 and has been rewritten in English by Tanvir Raihan)