A total of 3,568 candidates submitted nomination papers for the Chairman’s posts in elections to the Union Parishad (UP) scheduled for March 22, Election Commission (EC) sources said yesterday.
A total of 16 registered political parties out of 40 have nominated their candidates in the polls.
Of the total 3,568 candidates who submitted nomination papers on February 22, 1,900 are from the 16 political parties, while the rest of the 1,668 candidates are Independent, the sources said.
The ruling Awami League has nominated 741 candidates, the highest number, followed by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which nominated 668 candidates. The third highest number of candidates have been nominated by the Islami Andolon Bangladesh with 245 candidates, while the opposition party in Parliament Jatiya Party nominated 148 candidates.
Among others fielding their nominees are Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JASAD) - 30, Bangaldesher Workers Party - 24, Jatiya Party (Monju) - 20, Bangladesh Nationalist Front - 7, Bikalpadhara Bangladesh - 5, Bangladesh Communist Party - 4, Jamiyate Ulamaye Islam and Bangladesh National Awami Party 2 each, and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), Bangladesh Tarikat Federation, Bangladesh Kalyan Party and Zaker Party one each.
Though eight other political parties submitted names and signatures of their party chiefs or party leaders possessing powers to nominate candidates to the EC, they did not nominate any other candidates to contest the polls. These include the Bangladesher Biplobi Workers Party, National People’s Party, Islami Front Bangladesh, Khelafat Majlish, Liberal Democratic Party, Krishak Sramik Janata League, Islami Oikya Jote and the Bangladesh Islami Front.
Meanwhile, as per the election schedule, the first day of scrutiny of nominations ended yesterday and today is the final day of scrutiny.
Besides, the aggrieved candidates whose nominations have been cancelled will be able to appeal from Feb 25 and 27, which will be settled from Feb 28 to March 1.
The last date of withdrawing nominations is March 2 and the selected candidates will get the election symbols on March 3.