BHOLA, the largest island district of the country, often referred to as the "Queen Island," holds a unique place in the country's geography, economy, culture, and political landscape. Surrounded by the mighty Meghna, Tentulia, and the Bay of Bengal, the district is renowned for its fertile land, rich fisheries, cultural heritage, and historical importance. Today, it stands not only as a symbol of natural beauty and livelihood but also as a key battleground in the upcoming 13th Jatiya Sangsad election scheduled for February 2026.
Bhola's identity is deeply intertwined with its natural environment. The district is a vital source of livelihood for thousands, primarily through its world-renowned Hilsa fisheries. The Meghna and Tentulia rivers serve as prime breeding grounds for Bangladesh's national fish, and Bhola's contribution to the country's Hilsa catch is both significant and celebrated. During the fishing season, riverbanks come alive with activity. Fishermen set out in boats at dawn, traders wait in makeshift markets, and middlemen connect rural catches to urban demand in Dhaka, Chattogram, and beyond.
Adding to its economic significance, Bhola is fast emerging as a potential energy hub. The discovery of natural gas reserves has changed the way policymakers and businesses look at the island. With Bangladesh's economy growing steadily, Bhola's gas fields are now considered vital for future energy security.
Bhola's natural beauty is another source of pride. With its rivers, estuaries, and islands, the district holds immense potential for eco-tourism. Monpura Island, already a cultural icon thanks to its depiction in Bangladeshi cinema, offers stunning landscape, mangrove forests, and a way of life that feels untouched by time.
Culturally, Bhola's soul is reflected in its riverine tradition. The melodic Bhatiali songs of boatmen drifting across the water, the spiritual Baul music sung in village gatherings, and the festive atmosphere of rural fairs capture the spirit of its people. But this cultural richness has often been tested by tragedy. Bhola bore the brunt of the 1970 cyclone, one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history.
As the election approaches, Bhola has become one of the most closely watched battlegrounds in the country. The district is administratively divided into seven upazilas, five municipalities, and 72 unions, and politically, it is split into four constituencies. Together, they represent over 16 lakh registered voters, making Bhola a district of both symbolic and strategic importance.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB), and Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP) are already active on the ground, holding meetings, rallies, and organizational programmes. Meanwhile, other political entities such as the National Citizen Party (NCP) and Gono Odhikar Parishad (GOP) remain less visible, limiting their activities to occasional processions and committee formations.
BHOLA-1: This constituency includes Sadar Upazila comprising one municipality and 13 unions.
The seat has 383,864 registered voters.
From BNP, District Convener Golam Nabi Alamgir and National Executive Committee Member Haider Ali Lelin are expected contenders, with Alamgir having received the 2018 nomination. Local BNP activists largely favour him.
BJP is likely to field its chairman and former Member of Parliament (MP) Barrister Andaleeve Rahman Partho while Jamaat has declared District Nayeb-e-Amir Principal Md. Nazrul Islam as its candidate. IAB's candidate is Maulana Obaidur Rahman Bin Mostafa, Vice-President of the party's Northern District Unit.
These parties have already begun organizational work while NCP and GOP have shown little visible activity.
BHOLA-2: This constituency covers Burhanuddin and Daulatkhan upazilas having two municipalities and 18 unions.
The seat has 390,235 registered voters.
In this constituency, former MP Hafiz Ibrahim is conducting mass communication and holding rallies as the BNP candidate. He was also nominated from this constituency in 2018 and had earlier been elected MP in 2001 on a BNP ticket. Ahead of the upcoming national election, he has already been actively campaigning in various areas of Daulatkhan and Burhanuddin upazilas. However, if, for any reason, he does not contest, his son, Barrister Maruf Ibrahim Akash, Editor of Dainik Khobor, is expected to run.
In addition, two others are seeking BNP's nomination in this seat: Assistant Attorney General and member of the Executive Committee of the Supreme Court Bar Association, A. B. M. Ibrahim Khalil, and Jahangir M. Alam, President of the U.S. BNP-affiliated Jatiotabadi Shramik Dal. Among them, Ibrahim Khalil has been engaged in campaign activities in recent days while Jahangir M. Alam is yet to appear on the ground.
From Jamaat-e-Islami, the declared candidate is former District Ameer and Central Research Unit Member Mufti Maulana Fazlul Karim, who is widely recognised and respected as an Islamic scholar throughout the district.
IAB has nominated Mufti Rezaul Karim Borhani, a member of Burhanuddin Upazila Islami Sramik Andolan Committee, and BJP has not yet declared any candidate for this constituency.
BHOLA-3: This constituency covers Lalmohan and Tazumuddin upazilas comprising one municipality and 15 unions.
The seat has 383,265 registered voters.
BNP's likely nominee is its Standing Committee member Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, Bir Bikram, who has a long parliamentary history. Having been elected multiple times as an MP under Jatiya Party (JaPa), as an independent, and later as a BNP candidate, Hafiz remains a prominent figure.
However, the name of District BNP Joint Convener Marshal Himu has also surfaced though his activities are minimal.
Jamaat, though not fielding a direct candidate, has thrown its support behind Bangladesh Development Party (BDP) Secretary General Md. Nizam Uddin Nayeem.
IAB has nominated Maulana Mosleh Uddin, Vice-President of Bhola Dakkhin Committee, while BJP has not announced any candidate.
The NCP is expected to field businessman Abul Hasnat Hasnain, a member of the Central Coordinator Committee.
BHOLA-4: This constituency comprises Char Fasson and Monpura upazilas. The seat is the largest in the district, with one municipality, 21 unions, and five thanas, totalling 471,993 registered voters.
From BNP, three figures are seeking nomination: Former MP Nazim Uddin Alam, Jubo Dal's Central General Secretary Nurul Islam Nayon, and former Chatra Dal leader Advocate Siddiq Ullah Mia. Both Alam and Nayon are active in campaign events, while Mia has recently staged showdown in the area.
Jamaat has declared former district Ameer and ex-Shibir leader Principal Mostafa Kamal as its candidate while IAB has nominated Abul Mokarram Md. Kamal Uddin, Adviser of Bhola Dakkhin Committee. Both are already engaged in electoral activities.
No visible preparations have been observed from other parties.
If all goes as planned, a total of 1,631,357 voters across Bhola's four constituencies will cast their ballots in the 2026 election. With BNP, Jamaat and IAB already active, Bhola is emerging not only as a land of natural wealth and cultural pride but also as one of the most closely watched electoral battlegrounds in the country.
