Last day to withdraw candidacy today

Today, Tuesday (January 20), is the final day for candidates to withdraw their nominations for the 13th National Parliamentary Election.

According to the election schedule, the Election Commission (EC) will publish the final list of candidates and allocate electoral symbols on Wednesday. Full-scale election campaigning will begin on Thursday.

EC sources said a total of 2,568 nomination papers were submitted to contest the election. During scrutiny by returning officers, 723 nomination papers were rejected. Against these decisions, 645 appeals were filed within the stipulated time. After hearings, 419 candidates had their nominations restored. However, six candidates who were initially declared valid lost their candidacy following the appeal process.

The final number of candidates will be known after the withdrawal process ends today, followed by the allocation of electoral symbols tomorrow.