The National Independent Authority for Elections has announced a notable increase in the number of candidates for the local elections scheduled for November 28, compared to the 2021 cycle. For provincial assemblies, the number of candidates rose by 13.56% to reach 21,476, with 2,855 seats available. Regarding municipal assemblies, the number of candidates increased by 22.70% to 141,388, vying for 26,575 seats. These figures indicate a clear growth in participation levels and available positions compared to the previous local elections held in 2021.