NOAKHALI has long been recognised as a stronghold of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Since BNP's sweeping victories across major constituencies in 1991, the district has firmly held this reputation.
In most elections, BNP candidates have won by a wide margin against their rivals, traditionally Awami League (AL). Over time, Jamaat-e-Islami has maintained its position as a third force in the region.
However, following the July 2024 uprising and the subsequent downfall of Sheikh Hasina's government, AL has seemingly vanished from the political scene in Noakhali - both in public and behind closed doors.
As a result, the upcoming 13th Jatiya Sangsad election is expected to witness a direct contest between BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami across all constituencies. Jamaat has already declared candidates in all six seats and appears confident.
Other Islamist parties like Khelafat Majlish, Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB), and Gono Odhikar Parishad (GOP) have finalised their candidate lists for all constituencies except Hatiya.
Sources reveal that Islamist factions are trying to form an electoral alliance and divide the seats accordingly, although no formal consensus has been reached yet. Meanwhile, National Citizen Party (NCP) is struggling to be organized and fails to form even a convening committee in Noakhali. In fact, all its district-level committees have been dissolved.
Outside the district capital and Hatiya, NCP remains inactive. Similarly, the AL's ally, the Jatiya Party (JaPa), has shown no signs of political activity. GOP efforts remain limited to the district town. AB Party and Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) are virtually invisible. Several smaller factions remain confined to posters and banners only.
Noakhali, with its 9 upazilas and 8 municipalities, is divided into six parliamentary constituencies. The BNP has many strong contenders here, with heavyweight candidates in each constituency.
Since the 2024 uprising, BNP and Jamaat aspirants have actively engaged in public meetings and rallies. During the devastating flood of 2024, central and local leaders from BNP, Jamaat, Hefazat-e-Islam, Khelafat Majlish, IAB, and others participated in relief distribution.
NOAKHALI-1: The constituency encompasses Chatkhil and Sonaimuri upazilas but excluding these four union parishads (Ambarnagar, Baragaon, Bazra and Nateshwar) of Sonaimuri Upazila.
From 1991 to 2008, this seat remained under BNP control. In 2008, Barrister A.M. Mahbub Uddin Khokon - Adviser to BNP Chairperson and President of Supreme Court Bar Association - was elected. Khokon remains highly popular and is a front-runner again.
Khokon said, "During BNP's worst days after the 1/11 military-backed government, I stood by the Zia family and fought for the party. I defended leaders legally and politically against the oppression of the AL regime. I stood by the people and will continue to do so."
Another BNP contender, National Executive Committee (NEC) Member Mamunur Rashid Mamun, said, "People couldn't vote in the last three elections. They want a free, fair election. I was with the people during the struggle and will continue to be."
From Jamaat, Maulana Mohammad Saifullah has been declared as their candidate. He is an active member of the district-level leadership and has been campaigning regularly.
From Khelafat Majlish, Hafiz Maulana Abdul Aziz (President of Sonaimuri unit) is running. IAB has nominated Zahirul Islam Kawsar.
NOAKHALI-2: The constituency encompasses Senbagh Upazila and three union parishads of Sonaimuri Upazila- Ambarnagar, Baragaon, and Nateshwar.
Zainul Abedin Farroque, BNP Chairperson's Advisory Council Member, won five consecutive terms since 1991. A veteran MP, he seeks nomination again and urges the party not to nominate corrupt individuals or those inactive during the movement.
Kazi Mofizur Rahman, BNP's NEC Member, said that BNP is a democratic party and that the people are eager to vote for it.
Another hopeful is Abdul Mannan, President of BNP's South Saudi region, who says all leaders are united behind Tarique Rahman's 31-point reform plan.
Jamaat has nominated Principal Maulana Syed Ahmad, its district Naeb-e-Ameer. He's been actively campaigning and said he's inviting people towards implementing Islamic law.
From Khelafat Majlish, Maulana Fayez Ullah Habibi, Senbag Unit President, is running. IAB nominated Maulana Mohammad Khalilur Rahman, President of Shramik Andolan Bangladesh, as their candidate.
NOAKHALI-3: The constituency encompasses Begumganj Upazila and remained under the control of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) from 1991 to 2008.
BNP's Central Vice-Chairman and former minister Barkat Ullah Bulu served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for this seat in 1991, 1996, and 2008. In 2001, M.A. Hashem, chairman of the Partex Group, was elected MP from this seat representing BNP.
For the upcoming election, heavyweight aspirant Barkat Ullah Bulu is actively campaigning in the Begumganj area through regular meetings, rallies, and public outreach. He remains a leading candidate among the BNP's possible nominees.
Bulu said, "To save the country from injustice, oppression, and the deterioration of law and order in the name of mob justice, a free, fair, and neutral election must be held as soon as possible."
Other potential BNP nomination seekers in this seat include Shawkat Aziz Russell- Chairman of Amber Group, President of the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA), and son of the late former MP MA Hashem, and Manjurul Azim Sumon, President of the Noakhali District Jubo Dal (BNP's youth wing). Sumon's supporters are promoting his candidacy through seminars, opinion-exchange meetings, and social media campaigns.
Jamaat has declared Maulana Md. Borhan Uddin, Secretary of the district Jamaat, as its candidate. He has said that if elected, he will work to eliminate drugs, terrorism, extortion, and all forms of crime, especially in Chowmuhani, Noakhali's key commercial hub. He also pledges to free illegally occupied canals, reduce traffic congestion, and focus on constructing roads, bridges, culverts, and educational institutions to build a modern society and state.
From Khelafat Majlis, Central Majlis-e-Shura Member and District General Secretary Maulana Morshed Alam Masum has been nominated as the sole candidate. From IAB, Maulana Nur Uddin, a member of the Central Industry and Commerce Subcommittee, has also been nominated as the lone candidate.
NOAKHALI-4: The constituency encompasses of Subarnachar Upazila and Noakhali Sadar Upazila.
From 1991 to 2001, BNP's Central Vice-Chairman Md. Shahjahan was elected MP from this constituency in three consecutive national elections.
A heavyweight leader and organizer of BNP's grassroots restructuring across the country, Shahjahan is once again seeking the party's nomination. For a long time, politics in this constituency has revolved around him.
Party leaders and activists continue to voice strong support for this influential figure, who also enjoys widespread acceptance among the general public in the area.
Other BNP nomination seekers include Barrister Abu Saleh Md. Sayem, who serves as the Human Rights Adviser to the BNP's Acting Chairman, a member of both the party's media cell and its Foreign Affairs Committee, and Chief Coordinator of Deshmata Foundation.
Additionally, the BNP's Central Chhatra Dal General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir, and District BNP Member Secretary and former mayor of Noakhali Municipality Md. Harunur Rashid Azad are also vying for the nomination. Harun, however, stated, "After Md. Shahjahan, I am the rightful candidate to be elected MP from this constituency."
From Jamaat-e-Islami, the declared candidate is the party's District Ameer Principal Ishaq Khondoker. Since the July uprising, he has been focused on reorganizing the party and remains active in holding regular meetings, rallies, public outreach, and religious invitation programmes. Party leaders, workers, and supporters are carrying out extensive campaign efforts on his behalf.
In this constituency, Khelafat Majlis has nominated Professor Maulana Ruhul Amin Chowdhury, a member of the party's Central Advisory Council and President of its Noakhali District Unit. IAB has declared Md. Firoz Alam, Vice-President of the party's southern Noakhali District Unit, as their candidate.
NOAKHALI-5: The constituency encompasses Companiganj and Kabirhat upazilas.
This constituency is known as a VIP seat, having been represented several times by the late Barrister Moudud Ahmed, a Standing Committee member of BNP.
Over his long political career, he served in top positions including Minister, Prime Minister, and Vice-President of the country. Currently, his widow, former MP Hasna Jasimuddin Moudud, is seeking the party's nomination from this seat.
Another prominent nomination aspirant is Bazlul Karim Chowdhury Abed, former acting president of the Central Chhatra Dal and Assistant Secretary for Rural Development Affairs in BNP's NEC.
Since the July uprising, former student leader Abed has been actively participating in BNP's local programmes including meetings, rallies, and public outreach in the area.
Also in the discussion is Alhaj Md. Fakhrul Islam, Chairman of Far East Islami Life Insurance Company Ltd. and a former member of the upazila BNP.
He is reported to have stood by party workers during critical times and is currently conducting widespread meetings, gatherings, and mass communication across the constituency. According to a BNP source, Fakhrul Islam was previously affiliated with Islami Chhatra Shibir and later involved in the politics of Jamaat during his student years.
Jamaat has declared Principal Belayet Hossain, Ameer of Companiganj Upazila Jamaat, as its candidate. He is vigorously campaigning through public gatherings, meetings, and outreach activities.
From Khelafat Majlis, Maulana Ali Ahmad-Noakhali District Shura Member and President of Companiganj Upazila-has been declared as the party candidate. IAB has nominated Maulana Abu Naser, President of Kabirhat Upazila Unit, as their candidate in this constituency.
NOAKHALI-6: The constituency encompasses Hatiya Upazila.
Hatiya, a remote island upazila, presents a unique scenario. Here, personal influence outweighs party identity.
BNP's heavyweight aspirant is Engineer Mohammad Fazlul Azim. He was elected in 1996 and again in 2008 as an independent candidate but is now less active due to age and disconnection from local BNP.
Emerging as a surprise candidate is former student leader Mahbubur Rahman Shamim, BNP Central Organizing Secretary (Chattogram Division). Post-2024 uprising, his campaigns have gained momentum.
Engineer Tanvir, former Hatiya BNP General Secretary, also seeks nomination.
A businessman, Engr. Farhan Azim is also trying to get nomination from the BNP.
Jamaat's declared candidate Advocate Shah Md. Mahfuzul Haque - a former Shibir president and current President of Hatiya Development Forum - is making campaign.
NCP's Senior Joint Chief Coordinator Abdul Hannan Masud is their lone candidate in this seat.
Voters across Noakhali have expressed frustration over traffic congestion caused by footpath encroachment, illegal canal occupation leading to water-logging, and rising crimes. They urge for proper drainage, urban planning, and law enforcement. Citizens say they will elect candidates who promise and act to restore peace, education, and quality of life through good governance.
