Online Desk: Candidates have officially begun their campaigns today after the allocation of the election symbols by returning officers in Khulna.

The stage is set for the general election with the completion of scrutiny of all nomination papers and the settling of the appeals.

The 12th general election is scheduled to take place on Jan 7, from 8 am to 4 pm.

Candidates are winding down their campaigns by 8 am on Jan 5. Until then, they will tirelessly seek votes door-to-door, and fire up the voters with election rallies, gatherings and processions.

Returning Officer (RO) of Khulna Khondokar Yasir Arefin revealed that a total of 35 candidates including six Awami League nominated candidates and remained those running under other political parties and as independents, is in the fray this time in all six constituencies in Khulna districts.

Among them, eight are independent candidates, while the rest are affiliated with different political parties.

Of the political party candidates, six of AL and six of Jatiya party nominated will contest the election in all six constituencies, while three for Trinomul BNP and remain are Workers party, Bangladesh Nationalist Movement(BNM), Bangladesh Congress, National Peoples Party, Islami Oikko Zote, Zaker party and Sankskritik Muktizote.

Arefin, who is also the deputy commissioner of Khulna, said that the allotment of symbols began at 9:30 am today at the offices of the returning officers of all constituencies. The event was continued until 4 pm.

Earlier, the RO distributed boat symbol among AL nominated candidates, plough symbol among Jatiya Party candidates, Golden Fiver of Jute symbol among the Trinomul BNP candidates, Rose flower among Jaker Party candidate, Green Coconut symbol among Bangladesh Congress candidate, Stick symbol among Sankskritik Muktizote candidate and anchor symbol among BNM candidate, Mango symbol among NPP, Minar among Islami Oikko Zote candidate and Hamer symbol among the Workers Party candidates. Eagle, Sofa set symbols were distributed among the independents.

Meanwhile, independent candidate Mortoza Rashidi Dara gets back his candidacy for Khulna-6 constituency through a writ petition before the High Court, the RO added.