The deadlock between Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Andolan Bangladesh over seat allocation in the 13th parliamentary election is nearly resolved. With tensions between the two parties easing, seat distribution among the 11-party electoral alliance is also being finalised.
A special meeting of the parties is scheduled for today to make the final announcement on seat allocation among the parties, including Jamaat, Islami Andolan and National Citizen Party (NCP).
Top leaders of the parties say that three rounds of meetings between senior leaders of Jamaat and Islami Andolan over the past week have yielded positive results in maintaining the alliance.
One source said Islami Andolan Bangladesh wants to keep pressure on Jamaat-e-Islami until the announcement is made on tactical ground.
An eight-party platform was formed several months ago to reach a seat-sharing arrangement for the election. The parties are: Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, Nezam-e-Islam Party, Khelafat Majlis, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon, Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (Jagpa) and Bangladesh Development Party.
At the last moment, on December 28, three more parties joined the alliance. They are: Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) led by Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmed, NCP and Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party).
Complications over seat-sharing emerged within the eight-party bloc after the addition of the three new parties, particularly triggering tensions between Jamaat and Islami Andolan. To resolve this, senior leaders of the two parties have held several rounds of meetings over the past few days.
Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General and head of its media wing, Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair, said, “There was not much tension with Islami Andolan. Beyond the give-and-take over demands, no major crisis developed. This time we are not prioritising parties, we are giving importance to candidates—regardless of party—who have the potential to win.”
He added, “We are trying to announce the final list of candidates within the next two to three days. Many candidates are being dropped during the screening process, so we are keeping the time required for disposal of appeals in mind.”
Sources said that in meetings over the past few days, seat-sharing among the 11 parties has reached the final stage. While there were no major objections from other parties, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, led by Charmonai Pir Syed Rezaul Karim, was quite unhappy with Jamaat over seat allocation.
Eventually, it was decided that Jamaat would get 185 seats, Islami Andolon 48, NCP 25, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis led by Mamunul Haque 14, Khelafat Majlis led by Ahmad Abdul Qader 6, Jagpa 1, Bangladesh Development Party 1, Khelafat Andolon 2, Nezam-e-Islam Party 2, LDP 3, and AB Party 3 seats.
Based on this calculation, the parties have reached agreement on 290 seats. Of the remaining 10 seats, candidates from non-Muslim and special communities, as well as decorated freedom fighters, will be accommodated. These candidates will not belong to any specific party.
However, the number of seats allocated to some parties may increase or decrease slightly at the final stage.
A leader of the alliance said, “There were disputes between Jamaat and Islami Andolon in more than fifty seats. In those constituencies, surveys were conducted by a neutral team to assess popularity. Candidates are being finalised based on those surveys.”
Senior Joint Secretary General of Islami Andolan, Gazi Ataur Rahman, told TIMES of Bangladesh, “Seat allocation has posed some challenges. We are still keeping discussions open on a few seats. We hope everything will be resolved in Wednesday’s meeting. Until the final announcement, uncertainties remain, so we are trying to make the announcement quickly.”
It is learned that Jamaat and seven other parties had jointly carried out a movement for nearly three months on five demands, including implementation of the July Charter. They are now running a strong campaign in favour of a ‘Yes’ vote in the referendum on implementing the July Charter. These parties have long emphasised ensuring that votes of Islamic parties are cast into ‘one box’.
Among the eight parties, Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Andolan Bangladesh have the greatest capacity to influence the electoral field. Their decision to contest the election through a seat-sharing arrangement could affect the outcome of the next election.
However, Jamaat and its allies also have specific objectives in bringing NCP into the alliance at the last moment. NCP, formed by July fighters, is expected to play a strong role in mobilising youth power and campaigning for a ‘Yes’ vote in the referendum on the July Charter, rather than directly influencing electoral results.
Additionally, by bringing Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmed’s LDP closer, the parties have given greater importance to the issue of freedom fighters.
As the parties failed to reach a seat-sharing agreement by the last date for submitting nominations on December 29, candidates from these parties submitted nominations separately.
January 20 is the last date for withdrawal of candidacy. If seat-sharing agreements are finalised within that time, there will be one candidate from the alliance in each seat, while others will withdraw.
