Jamaat Finalises Candidates, 80 Percent Are New Faces

Jamaat Finalises Candidates, 80 Percent Are New Faces

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has finalised its candidates for all parliamentary constituencies, marking the start of its election preparations and grassroots activities. About 80 percent of the nominees are new faces who have never contested a parliamentary election before.

Party insiders said 59 of the selected candidates have prior election experience, while the rest are first-time contenders.

In a shift from the party’s earlier dominance by senior leaders, Jamaat is now focusing on younger aspirants aged between 35 and 45.

According to party sources, candidate selection began earlier this year and was completed recently with nominations for Gazipur-6 and Narsingdi-5. District and upazila-level leaders voted on potential nominees, and the central nomination board finalised the list. Though officially termed “preliminary,” the chosen candidates have already begun campaigning in their constituencies.

A senior Jamaat leader said discussions are underway about forming an electoral alliance among Islamic parties. If an agreement is reached, some candidates may withdraw to accommodate coalition partners.

Before nomination, Jamaat reportedly conducts field-level assessments to gauge candidates’ popularity and standing. Unless disciplinary or ethical issues arise, nominations are rarely changed, meaning the current list is unlikely to see major revisions.

Party leaders said that although most nominees are new, they are capable of earning public support through their education, community engagement, and campaign efforts.

Jamaat’s Nayeb-e-Ameer, Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher, said the party has published its preliminary list featuring young and educated candidates. “Given the time before the election, I’m hopeful they’ll win people’s hearts,” he said.

Taher added that public sentiment seems to be shifting. “People are saying, ‘We’ve seen the two big parties—now let’s see Jamaat once.’ These are positive signals. I believe we’ll perform well this time.”

Among Jamaat’s nominees, nine are former Members of Parliament. Of the 59 with electoral experience, nine have contested more than twice, 15 twice, and the rest once.

Maulana Abdul Hakim, who has participated in every election since 1991, will again contest from Thakurgaon-2. In Rangpur-2, ATM Azharul Islam—who ran in the 1996, 2001, and 2008 elections and was imprisoned during the Awami League government on war crimes charges—has been nominated again after his release.

Jamaat’s Secretary General, Mia Golam Porwar, is likely to contest from Khulna-5, where he was elected in 2001. Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher will again run from Comilla-11, while Assistant Secretary General AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad will contest from Cox’s Bazar-2.

Former MP Shahjahan Chowdhury, previously elected from Chattogram-14, will now run in Chattogram-15. Shahadat Hossain has been nominated for Chattogram-14.

Jamaat-e-Islami secured its best results in the 5th and 8th parliamentary elections, winning 18 and 17 seats respectively, mostly in alliance with the BNP. The execution and deaths of several top leaders over the years have opened the way for a younger generation of candidates.

Mia Golam Porwar said the list of potential candidates has been finalised, but some seats might be left for allies if an understanding is reached. He expressed optimism about the inclusion of young contenders.

“Nearly four crore new voters will cast their ballots this time,” he said. “Our young candidates are working for Bangladesh, and I believe the youth will support them.”

Many of the new candidates are former leaders of Islami Chhatra Shibir, Jamaat’s student wing. They include former Shibir president and current Dhaka South Jamaat secretary Shafiqul Islam Masud (Patuakhali-2); lawyer Shishir Monir (Sunamganj-2); former Shibir president and Dhaka North secretary Muhammad Rezaul Karim (Lakshmipur-3); and Islamic speaker Amir Hamza (Kushtia-3).

Children of executed Jamaat leaders have also been nominated. They include former Ameer Matiur Rahman Nizami’s son Najibur Rahman Momin (Pabna-1); Delawar Hossain Sayeedi’s sons Masud Sayeedi (Pirojpur-1) and Shamim Sayeedi (Pirojpur-2); and Mir Quasem Ali’s son, lawyer Mir Ahmad Bin Arman (Dhaka-14).

Ahead of the national election, several Islamic parties are working to form an electoral alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Andolon Bangladesh.

Alongside them, six other parties—Khelafat Majlish, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, Bangladesh Nezam-e-Islam Party, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon, Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (Jagpa), and Bangladesh Development Party—have been campaigning jointly to implement the July National Charter and introduce proportional representation through a referendum.

Political observers note that earlier Islamic alliances failed due to leadership conflicts. However, Jamaat leaders believe relations among Islamic parties are now stronger than before, raising hopes for a more unified Islamic front in the upcoming election.