The Electoral Commission says these are just preliminary figures which will be confirmed and announced by Commissioner Patilias Gamato on Monday.
The Highlands region has the highest number of candidates 852 candidates contesting the 40 seats, Momase region has 719 candidates contesting the 30 seats.
Southern region’s 23 seats will be contested by 716 candidates while in the New Guinea Islands region, 328 will be running for the 17 seats.
East New Britain has 81, Autonomous Region of Bougainville 73, West New Britain 68, Manus 60 and New Ireland 46.
