Photo : BSS

DHAKA, Jan 22, 2026 (BSS) - A total of 76 women candidates will participate in the 13th National Parliamentary Election scheduled for February 12.

Akhter Ahmed, Senior Secretary of the Election Commission (EC) Secretariat, disclosed this at a press briefing at Nirbachon Bhaban in Agargaon today.

He said the highest number of women candidates, 15, will contest in Dhaka-12 constituency, while only two will participate in Pirojpur-1 constituency. A total of 1,981 candidates are contesting in the polls.

Of the total candidates, 249 are independent, and 76 are women. The highest number of candidates, 288, have been nominated by the BNP, while nine registered political parties have not nominated any candidate.

Responding to a query on whether the number of contesting candidates could increase, the EC secretary said it would depend on court directives. Some candidates were included following court orders.

"If the court orders, the number of contested candidates may increase. We will follow whatever the court directs," he added.