While a staggering 747 people have submitted nomination forms to contest the 12th parliamentary election on January 7—with 60% from the ruling party—questions have arisen as to whether their participation is ornamental.
The scrutiny of the nomination papers began on Friday, and it will end on Monday.
In this election—boycotted by the BNP and 13 other registered parties—the number of independent candidates against 300 seats is 747. Party-wise, independent candidates from the Awami League are the highest, with 442 aspirants.
In the 2018 election, a total of 498 people submitted nominations as independent candidates, but only 114 of them had valid documents. Others were disqualified for being unable to provide 1% of voters’ signatures and other required information.
An analysis of the list of cancelled nomination papers shows that a large part of the candidates were local leaders of the Awami League, who were in the race following the party's decision.
According to the Election Commission, there were 424 independent candidates in the 1991 election, 284 in 1996, 486 in 2001, 151 in 2008, and 104 in 2014.
This time, the ruling party has inspired its party leaders and others to participate as independent candidates so that the election can be participatory and competitive.
Abdul Majid Khan, a three-term Member of Parliament of Habiganj-2 constituency, did not get a nomination from the Awami League. He collected nomination papers as an independent candidate.
Talking to Dhaka Tribune, Majid Khan, expressing his hope of winning the election, said: “Since the prime minister said that there is no bar to being an independent candidate, I became an independent candidate after discussing with the supporters.”
Like Majid Khan, hundreds of AL leaders will be competing among themselves. But party insiders warned that it may lead to increased factionalism and violence.
A total of 30 out of 44 registered political parties submitted their nomination forms to contest the election. According to the official data of the Election Commission, a total of 2,741 nomination papers were submitted against 300 constituencies across the country.
After scrutiny, the EC will hear appeals from December 6 to 15, while the last date for withdrawal of candidature is December 17. The EC is set to allot symbols on December 18, when the candidates will be able to start campaigning.