If the parliamentary elections are to be held in May 2018, then the number of candidates is expected to rise significantly to reach an unprecedented number of around1400-1500, i.e. twice the number of candidates in the last (2009) elections. Such an increase is attributed to many reasons including the following:

-Adoption of a new parliamentary proportional electoral law, which some regard as an opportunity to win the elections.

-The number of candidates tends to grow naturally just like the last elections. It increased from 279 in 1960 to 702 in 2009 as shown in table no.1.

-Failure to hold elections since 2009 and “starvation” to stand for elections.

Table No.1:  Number of candidates in the parliamentary elections (1960-2018). 

Source: Information International based on the results of parliamentary elections (1960-2018).