At least 3,056 nomination papers were submitted against 300 parliamentary constituencies yesterday, the last day of filing the forms, to the office of returning officers by aspirant candidates amid a festive mood. Of the nomination papers submitted, 39 were submitted online, the first of its kind in the history of parliamentary elections.

As per the estimate, at least 10 aspirant candidates from different political parties and/or independent candidates have filed nomination papers against a parliamentary seat.

Sources said that Awami League (AL) candidates have submitted over 240 nomination forms, while candidates of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Jatiya Party (JP) have submitted more than 800 and around 200 such forms respectively.

Though Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami is no longer a registered political party, more than 100 of its candidates under the banner of 20-Party Alliance have submitted the papers.

However, some small registered political parties have not submitted nomination papers to contest the next polls.

A total of 182 aspirants have submitted nomination forms from 21 constituencies under six districts of Barishal division. As many as 688 aspirants from different political parties and independent candidates have submitted forms against 16 constituencies under Chattogram division.

In Rajshahi division the number was 353 from 39 constituencies, in Khulna 351 from 40 constituencies, Mymensingh 236 from 38 constituencies, 708 in Dhaka from 56 constituencies, 177 in Sylhet, from 19 constituencies and 361 in Rangpur division from 33 constituencies.

The highest number of nomination submission was made for Dhaka 8 constituency, said EC secretary Helal Uddin Ahmed. The lowest submission was made for Magura 2 constituency, he added.  

Now, the aspirants have to wait for the scrutiny of their nomination forms on December 2. After the screening of their papers, the returning officers will announce the name of the valid candidates.

However, the valid candidates who wish to withdraw their candidacy will get the time till November 9.

On December 10, the retuning officers will dole out the electoral symbols to the candidates. After getting electoral symbols, the candidates are allowed to start their mass campaigns to bag votes.

Our Correspondent in Barishal adds: A total of 187 candidates yesterday submitted nomination forms from 21 constituencies under six districts of Barishal division. Among the total aspirants, 27 candidates are from the Awami League (AL) in 16 seats, including those the ruling party shared  with alliance partners, while the BNP fielded 43 candidates in all 21 seats.

In Barishal district, a total of 51 candidates submitted nomination papers from its six constituencies. Of them, the AL will contest from four seats where six forms were submitted. On the other hand, nine BNP candidates have submitted in all six seats.

In two constituencies of Jhalakathi district, 21 aspirants, including four from the BNP and two from the AL, submitted papers.

In three constituencies of Pirojpur District, a total of 32 candidates, including seven from the BNP and nine from the AL, submitted forms. In four constituencies of Patuakhali district, a total of 30 candidate, including 10 from the BNP and five from the AL, submitted nomination papers.

In four constituencies of Bhola district, a total 23 aspirants, including the nine from the BNP and four from the AL, submitted their nominations.

In two seats of Barguna district, a total 20 candidates, including four from the BNP and three from the AL, submitted their nomination papers.

Our Correspondent in Chattogram adds: A total of 179 candidates from different parties and independent aspirants submitted nomination forms yesterday. However, a total of 258 aspirants collected nomination papers for 16 constituency seats in Chattogram.

“A total of 123 aspirants collected nominations for Chattogram-4, 5, 8, 9, 10 and Chattogram-11 constituencies. However, 82 aspirants have submitted their nominations,” said Abdul Manan, returning officer and Chattogram divisional officer.

“Among the six seats, some are partially and others fully located in the Chattogram metropolitan area. A total of 15 aspirants submitted nominations for the Chattogram-4, 14 aspirants for Chattogram-5, 15 for Chattogram-8, 11 for Chattogram-9, 13 for Chattogram-10 and 14 aspirants for Chattogram-11 with huge enthusiasm,” said Manan.

Elias Hossain, returning officer for the constituencies of the district, said a total of 135 aspirants have collected nominations, but 97 aspirants have submitted the nominations so far till last day.

However, Hossain could not give the number as to how many aspirants submitted their nominations for every seat in the upazila. He also said that the aspirants have submitted their nomination in a congenial atmosphere. He expressed optimism for a good and fair election.