Dhaka, Jan. 21 -- Returning officers have begun allocating symbols to candidates contesting in the parliamentary election. Nearly 2,000 candidates - part-backed and independent - are contesting the polls.

Sample copies of the symbols are being provided at the returning officer's office on Wednesday. A maximum of three people have been asked to attend the event on behalf of each candidate. This includes the candidates themselves, election agents, proposers, supporters or any person or representative connected to the candidate.

On Tuesday, 1,867 candidates were finalised for 298 seats (excluding Pabna-1 and Pabna-2) after the deadline for candidacy withdrawals elapsed.

Dhaka-12 has the most candidates, with 15 people in the fray, while P...