1,972 candidates vie for 298 seats as Dhaka emerges most competitive

After scrutinising documents, hearing appeals, and completing other formalities, the Election Commission (EC) has finalised a total of 1,972 candidates for 298 constituencies in the 13th national election slated for 12 February.   

Though the polling in the Pabna-1 and Pabna-2 seats will be held on the same day, the EC is yet to complete the necessary procedures due to some legal complications. However, preparations are underway so that the two seats can join the rest.        

According to the EC's latest consolidated data, on average, more than six candidates are contesting each seat.

Meanwhile, the electoral symbols were allocated to candidates yesterday, while the election campaign will continue until February 10, beginning today.

The candidates representing the parties got their own symbols, and independent ones received symbols from the list of 119 symbols provided by the EC.

Earlier, candidates from 51 out of the registered 59 parties and independent ones submitted 2,580 nomination forms across 300 constituencies.

However, the Awami League is not participating in the election as its registration was suspended earlier.

Capital leads in candidate concentration

According to the EC data, the Dhaka division dominates both in total candidates and seat-level competition, with several constituencies recording double-digit rival contenders. Dhaka-12 stands out as the most competitive seat in the country, with 15 candidates vying for the single seat.

Other constituencies in the capital and its surrounding areas, including Dhaka-7, Dhaka-8, Dhaka-15, Dhaka-16, Gazipur-2, and Narayanganj-4 feature 10 to 13 candidates, signaling a tight competition.

Limited contests in several districts

In contrast to the Dhaka division, Pirojpur-1 under the Barishal division has emerged as the least competitive constituency, with only two candidates.

Several other seats, including Dhaka-2, Chattogram-15, Sunamganj-1, Sunamganj-2, Netrokona-5, Manikganj-2, Tangail-7, Khulna-2, Nawgaon-2, Joypurhat-2, Thakurgaon-1, Meherpur-2, Chuadanga-1, and Chuadanga-2, have just three candidates, raising questions about the competitiveness of the electoral process in those seats.

Political observers say such low-candidate races often point to entrenched local power structures or weak opposition mobilisation.

Regional disparities

Dhaka region has the highest number of candidates and the greatest number of highly contested seats, as it has 352 candidates against 42 constituencies.

Cumilla region ranks second, with intense competition in the city corporation and industrial areas. The Chattogram Hill Tracts and coastal constituencies show relatively fewer candidates compared to the flatland.  

Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions' constituencies show moderate competition, with most constituencies hosting between five and eight candidates.

Khulna and Barishal divisions record comparatively lower candidate density, with several seats having four to five contenders.

Sylhet division remains the least competitive overall, where most constituencies feature only four to six candidates.

What the numbers indicate

Urban constituencies, particularly in Dhaka, are increasingly witnessing multi-cornered contests, while many rural seats remain dominated by a small number of political actors.

Attention is likely to focus on highly contested urban constituencies, where fragmented votes could produce unexpected results, while low-contest seats may see limited voter engagement.

However, the EC has vowed to ensure a smooth environment for all parties to hold an accepted election. 

Allegations of major political parties

Jamaat's Assistant Secretary General and head of the central publicity and media division, Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, said, "We are still seeing that some of those involved with law enforcement and the election are behaving in a biased manner. The level playing field that is supposed to be ensured is being skewed on the ground, with those responsible leaning towards a particular party."

He threatened that they would eventually be forced to make a list of biased officials if the EC fails to properly address the issue and ensure their impartiality. 

Meanwhile, at a press briefing at the BNP chairperson's office in Gulshan, BNP spokesperson Mahdi Amin said his party will certainly form the government based on the people's mandate if there is a level playing field and the people's voting rights are valued. 

Urging the EC to play a role naturally, he said it must ensure that every party adheres to the code of conduct for elections.

Several delegations from the BNP have already visited the EC to discuss the level playing field. 

After meeting with CEC AMM Nasir Uddin, Yusuf Ashraf, senior nayeb-e-ameer of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, told reporters that the commission was not taking any action regarding the statements being made by some party leaders or on behalf of their parties.

"This itself indicates that there is no level playing field. We have said that there should be a level playing field so that all parties get equal opportunities," he said. 

Contacted, Electoral Reform Commission member and former additional secretary of the EC Secretariat, Jasmine Tuli told The Business Standard that ensuring strict compliance with the code of electoral conduct is the biggest challenge for the EC as symbols have been allocated. 

She said that it will become extremely difficult for the EC to maintain control over the entire election if political parties and candidates do not follow the rules properly.

Jasmine Tuli said the code of conduct should not just exist on paper; political parties need to follow it in practice. 

Pabna Polls

Appeal hearings in the two seats will be held on 25 January, while 26 January has been set as the last date for withdrawal of candidacy.

Other procedures will be followed as per the reschedule announced by the EC.