Dhaka: BNP has emerged as the frontrunner in terms of candidate fielding for the upcoming February 12 parliamentary election in Bangladesh, presenting 288 candidates, while Jamaat-e-Islami follows with 224 candidates. This election cycle sees a significant number of contenders, with a total of 1,732 from 51 registered political parties and 249 independents vying for seats across the country’s 300 constituencies.

According to United News of Bangladesh, the Election Commission’s latest statistics reveal that out of the total candidates, 1,972 are contesting in 298 constituencies, with nine candidates declared valid for Pabna-1 and Pabna-2. Other parties participating in the election include Islami Andolan Bangladesh with 253 candidates, Jatiya Party with 192, and Gono Odhikar Parishad with 90 candidates. Notably, Awami League is absent from the electoral race due to a suspension of its registration following a ban on its activities by the interim government.

Furthermore, eight registered political parties, including Bangladesh Workers Party and Bikalpadhara Bangladesh, have opted not to participate in the election. The Dhaka-12 constituency features the highest number of candidates, with 15 contenders, while the Pirojpur-1 constituency has the least, with only two candidates from BNP and Jamaat.

The Election Commission statistics indicate that 305 candidates withdrew from the electoral race by the final deadline. The number of contesting candidates is expected to increase once the candidates from Pabna-1 and Pabna-2 are finalized, and if the court directs the Election Commission to allow additional candidates to run.

The current number of 1,972 candidates marks the highest in the last 30 years, surpassing previous elections despite the exclusion of Awami League and other self-excluded parties. This figure eclipses the numbers from the last five general elections, including the 12th parliamentary election, which featured 1,896 candidates from 28 political parties.

The Election Commission announced the schedule for the 13th parliamentary election and the referendum on the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order to occur simultaneously on February 12.