As political parties diligently craft their election manifestos, fervent supporters and dedicated workers are orchestrating elaborate receptions to herald their candidates. The momentum gained further traction on Monday, following the allocation of election symbols by returning officers, marking the commencement of vigorous campaign activities.

Reports from various districts indicate that millions of people thronged districts and towns on Monday, immediately after the returning officers assigned symbols to each candidate. In Chandpur, a grand reception welcomed Muhammad Shafiqur Rahman, a seasoned journalist and former MP, following the Election Commission's allocation of the election symbol, a boat.

The enthusiasm was palpable among supporters like Abdus Sattar, a 60-year-old Awami League worker from Faridgonj, who expressed, "Our joy knows no bounds as our great leader Sheikh Hasina has nominated Shafiqur Rahman again. He is an honest, efficient, and uncompromising leader."

The event drew an impressive attendance of over 80 thousand people, reflecting the widespread support for Shafiqur Rahman. In addressing the rally, Rahman pledged, "I will do my best for the betterment of the people in my area."

 Similar rallies and receptions echoed across different constituencies, highlighting the widespread excitement and support for various candidates.

Our correspondents from different districts said that districts and towns were crowded with millions of people on Monday immediately after the returning officers allotted symbols for each candidate.

In Chandpur, a big reception was accorded to Muhammad Shafiqur Rahman, a veteran journalist and former MP after the Election Commission allotted his election symbol boat.

The 12th general election is scheduled to take place on Jan 7, from 8 am to 4 pm when the opposition political party BNP and its 13 allies have decided to boycott the election and are in the streets demanding the national polls under a caretaker government.

The 11th parliamentary election in 2018 saw the participation of 39 registered political parties. However, the results were met with scepticism and outright rejection from several parties, including the opposition BNP, who alleged widespread irregularities and malpractices throughout the electoral process.

The 2014 national election proceeded with the participation of 12 registered political parties. The BNP and its allies also boycotted that election.

The last date for withdrawal of nomination was Sunday. The ruling Awami League will announce its election manifesto on December 27. A total of 2,260 candidates are officially valid to contest in the 12th national parliamentary election scheduled on January 7 next year.

At least 26 out of the 44 registered political parties have decided to take part in the January 7 national election. Only five of those had seats in the ninth parliament formed after the 2008 election, the last "accepted election" in the country.

Twelve parties ran in the 2014 election which was boycotted by the BNP and most other opposition parties. Although 39 parties participated in the 2018 election, the results were rejected by the BNP and several other parties, citing widespread irregularities.

The door to the first step of the 12th parliamentary election, the submission of nomination papers, has closed, with 2,741 candidates from 30 political parties submitting their candidatures.

Confirming the figure, Election Commission officials said that the nomination papers will now be scrutinised for compliance with all the legal requirements.

Meanwhile, a total of 280 candidates regained their candidacy after appealing to the Election Commission (EC) against the Returning Officer's (RO) decision to revoke their nominations.

On the final day of the hearing, the Election Commission reinstated the candidacy of 22 applicants and dismissed the appeals of 62.

Amongst all the constituencies, Bogura 7 witnessed the highest number of nomination submissions, with 25 candidates vying for the seat. In contrast, the lowest number of candidates, four, was recorded in several constituencies.

A total of 119,691,633 voters under 42,103 polling stations throughout the country are eligible to cast their votes in this election.

A total of 2,716 nomination papers have been submitted in the upcoming 12th parliamentary elections. Among them, 731 were cancelled after scrutiny. 560 appeals were made. 286 appeals were granted and 274 were dismissed. 347 nominations have been withdrawn across the country, five remain suspended. After the withdrawal of candidature, the total number of valid candidates is 1,896.

Of the total valid candidates, 128 women candidates will vie for the national elections slated to be held on January 7. The women candidates, who constitute 14.81 percent of total candidates, will contest in 99 constituencies. Of the women candidates, 83 will fight for 16 political parties out of 29 going for the national elections. The number of independent women candidates is 45.