With the national election schedule announced and nomination deadlines approaching, the BNP has begun reshuffling candidates across multiple constituencies, surprising party leaders and grassroots activists alike. Sources say further changes are likely as the party recalibrates its strategy amid alliance considerations, health concerns, legal complications and growing pressure to field younger candidates.
The Election Commission has announced that the next national parliamentary election will be held on February 12 next year. Following the announcement, almost all political parties have begun preparing for the polls. However, the deposed Awami League will be unable to contest the election due to existing restrictions, shifting the focus of competition to parties opposed to it.
On November 3, the BNP released its first list of prospective candidates for 237 constituencies. On December 4, the party announced candidates for another 36 seats, bringing the total to 272. Among them, Begum Khaleda Zia was nominated in three constituencies—Bogra, Dinajpur and Feni—while BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman was nominated for Bogra-6. After returning to the country, Tarique Rahman later decided, following a party decision, to contest not only from Bogra but also from Dhaka-17.
Of the remaining 28 seats yet to be announced, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam has been allocated four, while Nagorik Oikya, Ganosamhati Andolon, the Revolutionary Workers Party and Gono Odhikar Parishad have each received one seat. In addition, two dissolved parties have been allotted two seats, while three leaders who recently joined the BNP will contest under the party’s Sheaf of Paddy symbol.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said: “Those with whom electoral understandings have been reached will contest using their own party symbols, while those who have joined the BNP will contest under the Sheaf of Paddy.”
Meanwhile, with nearly 40% of voters being young—and many voting for the first time—several parties are prioritising younger candidates. Most of Jamaat’s nominated candidates are relatively young, and the party is running separate campaigns targeting young voters. The NCP is also prioritising young faces, although discussions continue about a possible electoral alliance between the two parties.
Within the seats already announced, the BNP has changed candidates in several constituencies, and party sources say more revisions may follow in the coming days, with older candidates potentially being replaced by younger ones.
It has been learned that BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury has been shifted from Chattogram-10 (Pahartali–Halishahar) to Chattogram-11 (Bandar–Patenga). In Chattogram-10, the party has nominated Saeed Al Noman, son of late BNP leader Abdullah Al Noman. In Chattogram-4 (Sitakunda and parts of Chattogram city), the BNP has finalised Mohammad Aslam Chowdhury’s nomination, replacing Kazi Mohammad Salauddin, who had earlier been named.
In Dhaka-12, the BNP had initially nominated Saiful Alam Nirab, who also contested the seat in the 2018 election. However, under alliance considerations, the party has now finalised Saiful Islam, general secretary of the Revolutionary Workers Party, as its candidate.
In Jashore, the BNP has replaced four of the initially nominated candidates across the district’s six constituencies. Candidates have also been changed in Kishoreganj-5 and Narail-2.
Following Tarique Rahman’s decision to contest from Dhaka-17, the BNP plans to nominate Barrister Andalib Rahman Partho, chairman of like-minded ally BJP, for Bhola-1. Earlier, Golam Nabi Alamgir, president of the district BNP, had been nominated for the seat.
In Noakhali-4 (Sadar–Subarnachar), uncertainty has emerged after BNP-nominated candidate and party vice chairman Md Shahjahan fell seriously ill. He was admitted to Evercare Hospital in Chattogram shortly after receiving the party’s primary nomination. Although his condition has slightly improved after several days in the ICU, he remains physically unfit to actively campaign.
After being moved out of the ICU, Md Shahjahan is currently in Dhaka, but his health remains poor, making a return to the electoral field unlikely. He has long suffered from heart problems and previously underwent heart valve replacement surgery in Bangkok. He is currently hospitalised again due to heart-related complications.
Due to prolonged illness, he has been unable to visit his constituency for a long time, and direct contact with voters has nearly ceased. Local leaders fear this has weakened the party’s position in what has traditionally been a BNP stronghold. Meanwhile, Jamaat candidate Ishaq Khandaker has been campaigning actively in the area.
In Brahmanbaria-4 (Kasba–Akhaura), resentment has grown over the BNP’s preliminary nomination of 88-year-old Mushfiqur Rahman. Party leaders and activists say they are unhappy about nominating an elderly expatriate who has long been disconnected from local politics.
Similar dissatisfaction has surfaced in Kushtia-4 (Kumarkhali–Khoksa). Sixteen senior leaders of the BNP and its affiliated organisations have submitted an application demanding that the nomination of Mehdi Ahmed Rumi be withdrawn in favour of Md Sheikh Sadi, joint convener of the Kushtia district BNP. The application cites Rumi’s age, illness, image crisis and lack of engagement with younger voters.
Controversy has also emerged in Chattogram-13 following the primary nomination of 80-plus-year-old Sarwar Jamal Nizam. In an application signed by three senior leaders of the Chattogram South District BNP, leaders and activists said they were disappointed to see a former MP who has long been inactive in politics included in the list of prospective candidates.
In Munshiganj-2, BNP nominee Mizanur Rahman Sinha is also over 80 years old. Local leaders allege that his inability to conduct regular grassroots outreach is weakening the organisation.
In Natore-1 (Lalpur–Bagatipara), the BNP has nominated Advocate Farzana Sharmin Putul, joint convener of the district BNP convening committee and the younger daughter of late BNP leader Fazlur Rahman Patol. In the same constituency, BNP central co-organising secretary Taiful Islam Tipu will contest as an independent candidate. Party sources also say changes are under consideration in Netrokona-5 (Purbadhala).
In Noakhali-5, BNP candidate Mohammad Fakhrul Islam is facing a murder case linked to the July mass uprising. Sources say the party may replace him with central leader Bazlur Karim Chowdhury Abed.
According to the schedule for the 13th parliamentary election, the deadline for submitting nomination papers is Monday. Scrutiny of nominations by returning officers will take place from Tuesday to Sunday. Appeals can be filed from January 5 to 9 and will be disposed of between January 10 and 18. The last date for withdrawal of candidacy is January 20, symbol allocation will take place on January 21, and polling will be held on February 12.
