A record number of independent candidates have submitted nomination papers ahead of the Jan 7 general election, triggering hopes of competitiveness that will attract voters to the polling stations amid the BNP’s boycott. Now we see that the independent candidates have an important role to play, but time will tell us if any situation develops during voting,” Rafiqul said. Kazi Zafarullah, co-chairman of the ruling party’s election management committee, said they would sit to finalise their strategy on the independent candidates after getting a full list. The independent candidates, mostly from the Awami League, and defectors from the BNP, have drawn public attention during the submission of nomination papers for the 12th parliamentary polls. They include 1,966 with party nominations and 747 independent candidates.

Source: bd News24 December 02, 2023 06:26 UTC