Candidate spread reveals uneven provincial competition

Nearly 8,000 candidates will compete in the parliamentary elections, more than double the number from the 2021 vote. The sharp increase reflects the shift from the single non-transferable vote (SNTV) system used in 2021 to proportional representation in 2025, which has encouraged competing electoral lists to field as many candidates as possible.

However, the data reveals stark differences between provinces in the number of candidates per seat, showing how electoral competitiveness varies depending on local political dynamics. The table below illustrates candidate density by province, with a higher ratio indicating greater competition.