ISLAMABAD: A total of 305 Bangladeshi candidates have withdrawn their nominations for the upcoming 13th Jatiya Sangsad (JS) or National Parliamentary elections, leaving 1,967 contenders in the race, state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) reported on Wednesday.
Election Commission (EC) Secretariat Director (Public Relations) and Information Officer, Md Ruhul Amin Mallick, said the remaining candidates, comprising both party nominees and independents, will contest in 298 constituencies, excluding Pabna-1 and Pabna-2.
Initially, EC officials said, 2,585 nomination papers were submitted for 300 seats.
The deadline for withdrawal of candidatures expired at 5 pm on Tuesday.
Voting on Feb. 12
Following EC regulations, election symbols will be allotted today, Jan. 21, and the list of candidates will be published simultaneously.
Campaigning for the 13th JS elections will begin tomorrow, Jan. 22, and continue until 48 hours before polling day.
Voting is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 12, from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm, and will take place without interruption.
Balloting will be conducted using transparent ballot boxes and printed ballot papers.
Election schedule
Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin announced the election schedule in his address to the nation on Dec. 11, 2025.
The last date for submission of nomination papers was Dec. 29.
Election symbols
According to an earlier EC circular, the allocation of election symbols and publication of candidate lists are to occur immediately after the withdrawal deadline.
With 305 candidates stepping down, the remaining 1,967 hopefuls now prepare for the campaign trail.
Mallick reiterated that the 1,967 candidates will contest across the constituencies, highlighting both party-affiliated and independent contenders.
With voting just over three weeks away, all preparations are underway to ensure a transparent and uninterrupted election process.
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