As the country heads towards local government elections, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has taken an early lead by announcing preliminary candidates and launching field-level campaigns, positioning itself as a strong challenger to ruling BNP, which remains largely confined to planning and internal discussions.
Jamaat has already begun active campaigning across key local government tiers, including upazila parishads, municipalities, and union parishads.
Party leaders say candidates were selected through consultations at unit, ward, and union levels before being finalised at the district level, allowing for an organised and coordinated early push focused on voter outreach and grassroots engagement.
In contrast, BNP has yet to fully mobilise. Party leaders say that since forming the government with a strong parliamentary majority, they have been preoccupied with governance challenges, including economic pressures, energy supply concerns, and wider geopolitical tensions. The overlap of Ramadan, Eid, and the ongoing Middle East conflict has further limited their ability to focus on local elections.
At the grassroots level, BNP leaders and activists express concern that the delay could weaken the party’s position. Many emphasise the need to reconnect with voters and strengthen local organisational structures.
A major concern remains internal divisions that emerged during the recent parliamentary elections, when nearly 80 constituencies saw independent candidates—many viewed as rebel contenders—fracturing party unity.
Local leaders warn that unless these divisions are resolved quickly, BNP-backed candidates could face serious challenges in the local polls. Some also point out that Jamaat benefited from such internal splits in the parliamentary elections, gaining ground in several constituencies where BNP’s vote was divided.
A senior BNP leader from Khulna division, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that Jamaat secured victories in 25 out of 36 constituencies in the region partly due to BNP’s failure to manage candidate selection and maintain unity.
He warned that without addressing these structural weaknesses, similar outcomes could be repeated in local elections.
BNP joint secretary general Syed Emran Saleh Prince acknowledged the delay, saying the party’s leadership has been heavily engaged in state responsibilities since coming to power.
However, he said discussions on local elections are now gaining momentum and that a formal decision will be announced soon, with renewed focus on grassroots organisation.
Meanwhile, Jamaat leaders say their strategy centres on early engagement, community outreach, and addressing local issues.
Assistant secretary general and spokesperson Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair confirmed that candidates have already been deployed in the field and have begun public service activities aimed at building trust among voters.
He added that while the parliamentary elections were contested through alliances, local government elections would see parties competing independently.
The broader political environment has also been influenced by discussions over whether administrators would be appointed to local government bodies such as municipalities and upazilas. The government, however, has dismissed the idea.
State Minister for Local Government Mir Shahe Alam said there are no plans to appoint administrators and that steps are being taken to organise elections soon. He noted that a decision on whether party symbols will be used in local polls will be made before announcing the election schedule.
Political observers say local government elections in Bangladesh are often highly decentralised and personality-driven, making early grassroots mobilisation a significant advantage. In that context, Jamaat’s proactive approach and organisational readiness may give it a strategic edge.
However, analysts caution that the situation could shift quickly. If BNP manages to resolve internal divisions and rapidly activate its grassroots network, Jamaat’s current advantage may narrow. The coming weeks are therefore expected to play a crucial role in shaping the political balance ahead of the local elections.
