In Bangladesh, a total of 2,034 candidates, including 275 independents, are contesting the 13th Jatiya Sangsad (National Parliament) Election and Referendum scheduled for the 12th of this month. The Election Commission of the country has said that 51 political parties are in the race, with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) fielding the highest 291 candidates under the paddy sheaf symbol. Islami Andolon Bangladesh has nominated 258 candidates, followed by Jamaat-e-Islami with 229 and the Jatiya Party with 198.
Campaigning will end at 7:30am on February 10, marking the start of the mandatory 48-hour silence period. Voting will be held from 7:30am to 4:30pm on February 12 through ballot papers and transparent ballot boxes in 299 constituencies, as polling in Sherpur-3 has been cancelled following the death of a candidate.
The Election Commission said that more than 127 million voters are eligible to vote at 42,779 polling centres across the country.
