DHAKA, Feb 10, (V7N) – A total of 2,028 candidates representing 50 political parties, along with independents, are contesting the 13th national parliamentary elections scheduled for February 12, Election Commissioner Brigadier General (retd) Abul Fazal Muhammad Sanaullah said today.

Briefing reporters at the Election Commission headquarters in Agargaon, Sanaullah said 81 of the candidates are women. The elections, along with a referendum, will be held in 299 constituencies, as voting in Sherpur-3 has been postponed following the death of a candidate.

Polling will take place using ballot papers and transparent ballot boxes from 7:30am to 4:30pm. However, voters who are already inside or within the premises of polling centres by the closing time will be allowed to cast their votes.

According to the EC, polling will be conducted at 42,958 centres across the country. Of these, 42,659 centres will be used for physical voting, while postal ballots will be counted at 299 centres.

“We are considering around 50 percent of the polling centres as normal, while the remaining 50 percent have been identified as vulnerable,” the election commissioner said.

The country’s total number of voters stands at more than 127.7 million, including 64.8 million male and over 62.8 million female voters.

Sanaullah also said that 9,700 media personnel have so far been registered with the Election Commission to cover the polls, while 156 foreign journalists are expected to observe the election process.

END/AIJ/RH