Bangladesh News

Ten political parties have each nominated less than 10 candidates in the upcoming parliamentary elections and their total number of nominees is 48, according to a report prepared by the Election Commission (EC) Secretariat.

Another 11 parties have each nominated less than 50 candidates against the 300 seats in parliament.

The report shows the strength of a number of parties that had rushed to the commission to get registered and qualify to contest the national polls.

Officials in the EC Secretariat expressed surprise over the strength of these political parties. Most of the parties’ previous polls records were very poor and their security deposits were confiscated.

Of the total 39 political parties in the race only three parties–Awami League, BNP and Jatiya Party–nominated candidates in over 200 constituencies. Awami League nominated 333 candidates, BNP 310 and Jatiya Party 258.

Of the 11 Islamic political parties, the highest 183 nominations were filed by Islami Andolan Bangladesh, previously known as Islami Shashantantra Andolan. Jamaat-e-Islami gave nominations in 56 constituencies.

According to the EC’s report, Bangladesh Jatiya Party fielded only one candidate, Jatiya Ganotantrik Party two, Khelafat Majlish three, Biplabi Workers Party five, Freedom Party six, Bangladesh National Awami Party six, Jatiya Party (JP) seven, Muslim League eight, Jamiayte Ulamaye Islam Bangladesh 10, Ganatantri Party 12, Ganofront and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish 16 each, Oikyaboddha Nagorik Andolan 17, Bangladesh Islami Front 20, Bangladesh Jatiya Party-BJP 21, National Awami Party 22, Workers Party 27, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-JSD 29, Progatishil Ganotantrik Dal 35, National People’s Party 37, Liberal Democratic Party 39, Communist Party of Bangladesh and Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan 41 each, Zaker Party 44, Bangladesh Kallyan Party 45, Krishak Sramik Janata League 52, Samajtantrik Dal 58, Gano Forum 61.

Moreover, 391 applications were filed seeking candidacy as independent candidates.