BNP has fielded the highest number of candidates, 288, while Jamaat-e-Islami is contesting the February 12 parliamentary election with 224 candidates across the country. Of the total candidates, 1,972 are contesting in 298 constituencies and nine have been declared valid candidates in Pabna-1 and Pabna-2. As many as 1,896 contesting candidates and 28 political parties were in the race in the 12th parliamentary election (held on January 7, 2024), while 1,861 candidates and 39 political parties were in the 11th parliamentary election ( December 30, 2018). In the 10th parliamentary election held in 2014, only 390 candidates and 12 political parties contested from 147 constituencies, while 153 other parliamentary seats went uncontested. Earlier, a total of 1,567 candidates and 38 political parties contested the 9th parliamentary election (December 29, 2008), while 1,939 candidates and 54 political parties contested the 8th parliamentary election (October 1, 2001), and 2,574 candidates and 81 political parties in the 7th parliamentary election (June 12, 1996).

Source: Dhaka Tribune January 22, 2026 05:19 UTC