As many as 1,420 candidates from 39 parties have lost their security deposit in the 299 constituencies of the December 30 general election.
This is the second highest since in the 7th general polls.
At least 1,760 candidates lost their security money during the 7th general election which was held on June 12, 1996.
According to the Representation of the People Order (RPO), the security money of any candidate who fails to obtain one-eighth or 12.5% of the votes cast in a given seat, will be confiscated.
However, they will still have the right to participate in the next parliamentary election.
Before the much-hyped December 30 polls of 2018, the Election Commission (EC) had received Tk20,000 as security money from each aspirant vying from the respective electoral constituencies, for representation in the House.
The number of those losing their security deposit may move up after the election of the Gaibandha 3 constituency take place.
Earlier, the EC postponed voting in the constituency, hours after Jatiya Oikya Front backed candidate Dr TIM Fazle Rabbi Chowdhury died on December 20, 2018, just 10 days before the polls.
In the 11th general election, a maximum of 126 candidates lost their security money from Dhaka’s 20 constituencies alone, followed by 95 hopefuls from Chittagong’s 16, and 75 others from Comilla’s 11 constituencies.
Among the eight administrative divisions, Dhaka with 70 constituencies in 13 districts also topped the list of such candidates, with 351 running for office lost their security money. With 80 aspirants from 19 seats in four districts embracing the same fate, Sylhet Division is at the bottom of the list.
The Dhaka Tribune estimated the figures after analyzing the polls’ result.
The constituencies that saw 100% candidates except for the winner having their security deposit forfeited, numbered 19.
The 10th, 9th and 8th general elections saw 163; 941 and 1,259 candidates suffer the same fate. However, the scenario of the January 5, 2014 election, boycotted by the then BNP-led four-party alliance, was a bit different as 153 candidates were elected unopposed, as votes were castin only 147 constituencies.
Top three districts with most candidates having security money forfeited
District | Total Constituencies | Total Candidates Losing Security Money |
Dhaka | 20 | 126 |
Chittagong | 16 | 95 |
Comilla | 11 | 75 |
Previous polls’ record
Election | Total Constituencies | Total Candidates Losing Security Money |
11th general polls | 299 | 1,420 |
10th general polls | 147 | 163 |
9th general polls | 300 | 947 |
8th general polls | 300 | 1,259 |
7th general polls | 300 | 1,760 |
