A total of 3056 candidates, including 265 in 20 seats of capital Dhaka, have submitted their nomination papers across the country to contest the upcoming general election billed for Dec 30.
As per the Election Commission tally, 3,056 individuals and contenders of political parties filed their nominations forms for 300 seats by the deadline that expired at 5 p.m. Wednesday (Nov 28), local media reports said.
Briefing reporters at Nirbachan Bhaban on Wednesday night, Election Commission Secretary Helal Uddin Ahmed said 23 contestants filed nomination papers online.
The EC secretary said eight other runners filed blank nomination papers online while eight more submitted other documents like biodata online.
The EC for the first time introduced the submission of online nomination papers in the parliamentary elections.
The highest 22 nomination papers were filed for Dhaka-8, while the lowest four nomination forms for Magura-2.
Of the 3,056 nomination papers submitted manually, 361 were filed in Rangpur division, 353 in Rajshahi, 351 in Khulna, 182 in Barishal, 236 in Mymensingh, 708 in Dhaka, 177 in Sylhet and 688 in Chattogram division.
Many candidates, including those from two major political alliances -- Bangladesh Awami League-led Grand Alliance and Dr Kamal Hossain-led Jatiya Oikyafront -- filed their nomination papers on the last day amid festivity.
The nomination papers will be scrutinised on Dec 2 as the last date for withdrawal of candidature is Dec 9 as per the reschedule announced by the EC.
On Nov 8, the EC first announced the schedule for the general election fixing Dec 23 for balloting. Amid demand from opposition political parties, the Commission on Nov 12 deferred the national election to Dec 30 from Dec 23.
In the 10th national election held in 2014, which was boycotted by Bangladesh Nationalist Party - BNP, a total 1107 candidates submitted nomination papers in 300 constituencies across the country.
Later, 230 nomination papers were cancelled during the scrutiny and 334 candidates withdrew their candidature, according to reports.
Eventually, the number of contesting candidates came down to 543 and 153 constituencies got single candidate after the last day of withdrawal of candidature in the election held on Jan 5, 2014.
