The eight-party Islamist bloc is close to finalising a joint candidate list for the upcoming 13th national election, with Jamaat-e-Islami expected to receive the bulk of seats across six divisions.
Islami Andolan Bangladesh, led by the Charmonai Pir, is being given special prominence in Barishal and parts of Khulna. Popular candidates from the remaining six parties will be incorporated as seat-sharing talks enter their final stage, multiple party insiders confirmed.
At least seven constituencies will be reserved for non-Muslim and indigenous candidates, while five will be allocated to women, the party insiders disclosed to TIMES of Bangladesh.
The electoral alliance aims to maximise its electoral footprint by consolidating Islamist votes rather than splitting them among competing parties. Senior leaders say the guiding principle is not how many seats each party gets but ensuring that votes from conservative and religious constituencies “flow into one box”.
Jamaat and Islami Andolan remain the only two parties in the bloc with substantive grassroots influence, and their collaboration is expected to shape the electoral map in several regions.
The other parties involved in seat-sharing discussions are Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, Nezam-e-Islam Party, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon, Khelafat Majlis, Jatiya Ganotantrik Party (JAGPA) and Bangladesh Development Party.
Two or three additional parties, including National Citizen Party (NCP), may also join them at the final stage.
Although several parties have already announced local nominees, leaders say a single joint candidate will be finalised for each constituency shortly before or just after the Election Commission announces the schedule, likely in mid-December.
“Candidates are being prioritised according to local popularity,” Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim, senior nayeb-e-ameer of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, told TIMES of Bangladesh.
“In Barishal, we have a strong position, while Jamaat is strong in places like Chattogram, Rajshahi, Satkhira and nearby areas. It is only natural that they will get priority there. In areas where the other parties enjoy greater support, their candidates will be nominated.”
Seat numbers under discussion
Senior party sources say the preliminary outline includes about 160 seats for Jamaat, 70 for Islami Andolon, and roughly 40 for popular candidates from the smaller partners.
Around 10 freedom fighters, non-Muslims and members of minority communities may also be nominated as part of a strategic push to broaden the bloc’s appeal.
Seat allocations may shift if new parties join. The bloc is keeping around 20 seats unassigned for late adjustments and is also considering recent student union election winners in several universities.
One senior negotiator said discussions on seat-sharing have advanced significantly. He said, “Of the 21 constituencies in Barishal division, 11 have already been discussed for Islami Andolan and 10 for Jamaat and the other seven parties. In Dhaka’s 20 seats, Jamaat may get 13 and the others seven. In Sylhet’s 19 seats, Jamaat may receive 12 while seven for the remaining parties. In Khulna division’s 36 constituencies, discussions indicate 22 for Jamaat and 14 for the seven parties.”
Echoing his equation, one leader of Islami Andolan Bangladesh said, “Candidate finalisation is happening along these lines.”
They said Jamaat is also expected to receive all seats in Satkhira (four) and Jashore (six), both known as strongholds of the party.
Jamaat Assistant Secretary General AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad said the list will be finalised before the schedule, combining the most popular nominees. “Non-Muslim candidates will also be considered where they are strong. Much of the speculation around seat numbers is premature,” he told TIMES.
Non-Muslim candidates in the mix
The bloc is preparing a notable shift by fielding non-Muslim nominees. At least five Hindu and two indigenous candidates are being seriously considered, with Jamaat maintaining direct contact with several of them.
Among the names under review are Krishna Nandi for Khulna-1 (Dacope–Batiaghata). He heads Jamaat’s non-Muslim wing in Khulna. Freedom fighter Paresh Kanti Saha is being considered for Magura-2. He is president of Jamaat’s non-Muslim wing in Magura and a physician by profession.
For Magura-1, Jamaat has long been considering Dr Shushanta while teacher Tapan Mohan Chakraborty may be nominated in Panchagarh-1. Advocate Gobinda Chandra Pramanik, general secretary of the National Hindu Grand Alliance, may receive nomination either from Rajbari or any seat in Dhaka. He has already been attending events organised by Jamaat and Islami Andolan.
The parties are also exploring indigenous candidates in Mymensingh-1 (Haluaghat–Dhobaura) and in Rangamati.
Women candidates under review
Women who are under consideration come from Jamaat’s female wing. The names under discussion include Professor Nurunnisa Siddika, secretary of Jamaat’s central women’s department, who may be fielded in Dhaka or elsewhere.
BUET civil engineering alumna and former university lecturer Mardia Momtaz is a potential nominee for Dhaka-18.
Other names include Dr Amina Rahman, former lawmaker from a reserved women’s seat; Shahah Ara Begum, former lawmaker and central shura member; and Barrister Sabikun Nahar, assistant secretary of Jamaat’s women’s wing. They may be nominated in Dhaka or outside the capital. The eight-party bloc may also nominate one or two capable women from outside Jamaat.
The eight parties have been engaged in a joint movement for nearly three months, centred on a five-point demand including the implementation of the July Charter. They are now holding divisional rallies, which will continue until 6 December.
Grassroots leaders of Jamaat and Islami Andolan say coordinated support for single candidates in each seat could yield “unexpected” results. They cite recent university student union elections as evidence that voters are seeking new leadership following years of misrule, extortion and poor governance by previous administrations.
