Alliances Race to Settle Seat Deals as Nomination Deadline Ends

Jamaat holds its first-ever Suhrawardy Udyan rally at Suhrawardy Udyan on 19 July 2025.

As the deadline for submitting nomination papers expired at 5pm today, both the BNP-led and Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliances were still struggling to finalise seat-sharing arrangements, amid internal disagreements and the rise of rebel candidates.

The BNP-led alliance has formally allocated several constituencies to partner parties but continues negotiations over the remaining seats. The situation has become more complicated as a number of BNP leaders have filed nominations as independents in constituencies reserved for allies. Party leaders have warned that disciplinary action may follow if these candidacies are not withdrawn by the final withdrawal deadline on 20 January.

The Jamaat-led alliance is facing similar challenges. Originally formed as an eight-party bloc with an understanding on all 300 constituencies, the alliance has been forced to revisit seat-sharing after the National Citizen Party (NCP) and the Oli Ahmed-led LDP joined the coalition yesterday.

Election Commission officials said today was the final day for submitting nomination papers under the election schedule. Scrutiny, appeals and withdrawals will follow, with the final list of candidates to be published after 20 January. Symbol allocation is scheduled for 21 January, and official campaigning will begin the next day, continuing until the morning of 10 February.

According to the Election Commission’s central coordination committee, 2,780 nomination papers had been collected nationwide by yesterday afternoon, with 31 submissions made. All registered political parties are eligible to contest the polls, though the Awami League cannot participate as a party due to the suspension of its political activities. Its leaders, however, may contest as independents or under other party banners.

With nomination submissions closing without firm agreements in place, the coming days are expected to be crucial in determining whether the two major alliances can resolve internal rifts or face a reshaped electoral contest.

So far, the BNP has announced candidates for 272 constituencies in two phases, revising nominations in several seats. While 28 seats were initially set aside for allies, only 17 have been formally allocated. On the final day of nominations, BNP nominees, allied candidates and rebels all filed papers, increasing pressure on the party leadership to manage dissent within a limited timeframe.

The BNP has ceded seats to several long-time allies as part of its broader political understanding formed during joint movements against the previous government. Prominent allied candidates include leaders from various partner parties contesting in Dhaka, Patuakhali, Bogura, Brahmanbaria and Bhola constituencies. The party has also left four seats for Jamiat-e-Ulama-e-Islam.

Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman said seat adjustments with allies were nearing completion and could be finalised shortly after the nomination process. Leaders of allied parties echoed similar optimism, saying discussions were ongoing and a consensus was expected through mutual understanding.