Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has begun full-scale preparations for the upcoming national parliamentary elections, aligning its strategy with the timeline announced by the Chief Adviser. As part of these efforts, the party has compiled a preliminary list of prospective candidates for 296 out of 300 constituencies across the country. Though the names have not been officially finalized, they have been informally announced, and the individuals on the list have already begun grassroots-level campaign activities.
Party leaders and activists-from the central leadership to local organizers-are currently engaged in widespread public outreach efforts. These include door-to-door visits, community engagements, and rallies focused on key national issues. Potential candidates and central figures are promising various reforms to win voter confidence, while also presenting a vision for building a democratic Bangladesh if the party comes to power. Jamaat leaders are also using campaign platforms to highlight the political persecution they claim to have faced under previous governments.
Although the party is making independent preparations for the election, sources indicate that Jamaat is also exploring the possibility of forming an alliance with other Islamic parties. In such a case, seat-sharing arrangements may be negotiated. According to multiple central leaders, the current list is a working draft and subject to change based on ground realities and political developments. A final list of candidates is expected to be announced between August and October.
In a recent statement, Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman clarified that the number of constituencies mentioned is not yet official and that discussions are ongoing. He emphasized that Jamaat has always been an election-oriented party and is prepared for any kind of electoral contest, including national polls. Since the Chief Adviser indicated in his Eid-ul-Azha message that the national elections may take place in early April, Jamaat leaders have ramped up their political activities. Many central leaders returned to their home constituencies during Eid and continued their campaign engagements even afterward.
The preliminary list of 296 candidates includes a wide array of professionals-teachers, lawyers, doctors, and religious scholars-who have been tasked with building local support and assessing challenges on the ground. The remaining four constituencies-Rajshahi-2, Manikganj-2, Dhaka-9, and Cumilla-7-are yet to have candidates officially listed. Party sources also note that several names in the initial draft have already been changed, and more revisions are likely as the political landscape evolves.
