Jamaat Finalizes Candidates, Launches Local-Level Election Preparations

Younger leaders and new campaign strategy spark interest across political circles

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has finalized candidates for 298 out of 300 parliamentary seats, leaving only Gazipur-6 and Narsingdi-5 undecided. Nearly four months ahead of the upcoming national election, the party has begun intensive groundwork at the constituency level, including polling agent training and local committees aimed at preventing unrest at voting centers.

According to senior party sources, these preparatory activities are expected to conclude within the next month or so. Jamaat’s declared vision for the upcoming election is to build a welfare-oriented state founded on justice and equality—an idea the party says draws inspiration from the “people’s uprising” spirit.

Although disagreements remain among opposition parties, including the BNP and Jamaat, regarding the proposed proportional representation system, several Islamist and nationalist groups have already launched joint campaigns on shared demands—casting uncertainty over the election atmosphere.

Candidate selection and strategy

Jamaat says local votes and recommendations from its central nomination board determined the 298 candidates. While they are already working in their constituencies, the list is still flexible. Adjustments may occur if the party reaches seat-sharing agreements with like-minded allies.

This time, Jamaat is placing stronger emphasis on younger candidates aged 35 to 45, low-profile campaigns, and community-based outreach rather than confrontational politics. The party is also focusing on social media communication and promises centered on local development.

Younger faces in focus

A notable shift is evident under the leadership of Jamaat’s Ameer, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman. Many fresh faces from the party’s younger generation are being nominated. Among them is Ataur Rahman Sarkar, media secretary of Dhaka North Jamaat, who will contest from Brahmanbaria-4. Sarkar says public response has been “overwhelming” compared to previous years, as local community meetings and courtyard gatherings draw large crowds.

Central leaders entering the race

Fifteen of Jamaat’s top central executive members are contesting. Party chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman is running in Dhaka-15, and Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar in Khulna-5. Other notable candidates include Nayebe Ameer Mujibur Rahman (Rajshahi-1), A.T.M. Azharul Islam (Rangpur-2), and Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher (Cumilla-11).

Notable and controversial candidates

Jamaat has also fielded several former student leaders of Islami Chhatra Shibir. Among them are Shafiqul Islam Masud (Patuakhali-2), Shishir Monir (Sunamganj-2), and Delowar Hossain Saidi (Thakurgaon-1). Former Shibir president Muhammad Rezaul Karim is running in Laxmipur-3, while popular preacher Amir Hamza has been nominated in Kushtia-3 despite previous controversies over his remarks.

Candidates from war crimes convicts’ families

Children of executed war crimes convicts are also entering the race:

Najibur Rahman Momin (son of Motiur Rahman Nizami) from Pabna-1

Masud Saidi and Shamim Saidi (sons of Delwar Hossain Saidi) from Pirojpur-1 and Pirojpur-2

Barrister Mir Ahmad Bin Arman (son of Mir Quasem Ali) from Dhaka-14

Masud Saidi, a former upazila chairman, said he is confident in his local support base despite the family’s controversial past.

Unresolved nominations and internal rifts

Candidate selection for Gazipur-6 and Narsingdi-5 remains pending. Meanwhile, internal discontent has surfaced in several constituencies, including Pabna-5 and Mymensingh-6, where protests erupted over nomination choices. Party insiders say leadership fears that reversing nominations could set a “bad precedent.”

Growing optimism among party leaders

Despite internal challenges, Jamaat leaders express strong optimism about their prospects. Secretary General Golam Porwar said turnout at their recent rallies has been “many times higher” than before, suggesting a growing public appetite for political change.

Jamaat is also exploring limited electoral coordination with other Islamist parties, such as Islami Andolon Bangladesh, though it continues to prepare as an independent contender.

As the Thirteenth National Election draws nearer, Jamaat’s multi-pronged campaign—focused on local engagement, digital outreach, and youthful candidates—signals a strategic shift for a party long absent from mainstream electoral politics.