The deadline for the withdrawal of candidature for the 13th National Parliamentary Election expired on Tuesday, making it increasingly clear who will remain in the final race. On Wednesday, the Election Commission (EC) published the final list of candidates and officially announced the allocation of electoral symbols.
Even before the publication of the final list, the election battlefield had already drawn intense attention due to a series of high-profile, and heavyweight, contests. Key political figures-including BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman, Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman, National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam, Islami Andolon Bangladesh (IAB) Chief, known as Charmonair Peer, Khelafat Andolon Chief Mamunul Huq, Jatiya Party Chairman G.M. Qader and several other influential leaders are set to contest in closely watched constituency-based battles. In some cases, candidates are contesting from more than one seat.
BNP
BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman is contesting from Bogura-6 and Dhaka-17. In Dhaka-17 (Gulshan, Banani, Cantonment and Bhasantek), his main rival is Jamaat-e-Islami's Dr SM Khaleduzzaman. In Bogura-6 (Sadar), Tarique Rahman faces Jamaat candidate Md Abidur Rahman, Jatiya Party's Atik Ahmed, and seven others.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is contesting from Thakurgaon-1 (Sadar), where Jamaat leader Delawar Hossain is his main rival, alongside Islami Andolan's Md Khademul Islam.
BNP Standing Committee senior member Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain is contesting from Cumilla-1, facing Jamaat's district Nayeb-e-Ameer Moniruzzaman Baharul. Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas is contesting from Dhaka-8, where NCP's Nasiruddin Patwary is likely to be his key challenger. Another Standing Committee member, Goyeshwar Chandra Roy, is contesting from Dhaka-3, facing Jamaat candidate Md Shahinur Islam.
From Narsingdi-2 (Palash), BNP Standing Committee member and former minister Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan is in the race, while the seat has been left to NCP's Md Golam Sarwar (Sarwar Tushar) instead of Jamaat's Md Amjad Hossain.
In Chattogram-11 (Bandar-Patenga), BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury faces Jamaat's Mohammad Shafiul Alam. BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed is contesting from Cox's Bazar-1, with Jamaat's Abdullah Al Faruq as his main rival. In Bhola-3, BNP's Major (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed faces BDP candidate Muha Nizamul Haque Nayeem, who is backed by the Jamaat-led alliance.
BNP Standing Committee member Dr AZM Zahid Hossain is contesting from Dinajpur-6, facing Jamaat's Md Anwarul Islam.
In Feni-3, BNP Vice Chairman Abdul Awal Mintoo remains in the race and may face former Islami Chhatra Shibir central president Mohammad Fakhruddin. In several Noakhali constituencies-Noakhali-1 to Noakhali-6-BNP candidates are facing Jamaat contenders in direct contests.
From Faridpur-2, BNP Organising Secretary Shama Obaed is contesting against Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis candidate Md Akram Ali, who is backed by the Jamaat-led 10-party alliance.
Jamaat-e-Islami
Among Jamaat's heavyweight candidates, Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman is contesting from Dhaka-15, facing BNP candidate Md Shafiqul Islam Khan. Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher is contesting from Cumilla-11, while another Nayeb-e-Ameer, Prof Mujibur Rahman, is in the race from Rajshahi-1 against BNP's Major General (retd) Md Sharif Uddin.
Jamaat Nayeb-e-Ameer ATM Azharul Islam is contesting from Rangpur-2, facing BNP's Mohammad Ali Sarkar. Secretary General Prof Mia Golam Parwar is contesting from Khulna-5 against BNP's Mohammad Ali Asgar.
Assistant Secretary General AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad has regained his candidature for Cox's Bazar-2 following an EC appeal, where he faces BNP's Alamgir Muhammad Mahfuz Ullah Farid. Another Assistant Secretary General, Rafiqul Islam Khan, is contesting from Sirajganj-4.
Several other senior Jamaat leaders, including Selim Uddin, Md Nurul Islam Bulbul, and Barrister Mir Ahmad bin Qasem (Arman), are contesting in Sylhet, Chapainawabganj, and Dhaka constituencies respectively.
All Jamaat candidates are in tough contest with BNP candidates.
National Citizen Party (NCP)
NCP Convener Nahid Islam is contesting from Dhaka-11, facing BNP's MA Kaiyum. Member Secretary Akhter Hossain is contesting from Rangpur-4, while northern organiser Sarjis Alam is in the race from Panchagarh-1. They are also facing strong BNP candidates.
Other High-Profile Contenders
Alongside the major parties, several prominent leaders are also shaping key constituency battles. Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader is contesting from Rangpur-3, while Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna is in the race from Bogura-2. Gono Sanghati Andolon chief coordinator Zunaid Saki is contesting from Brahmanbaria-6.
Former BNP MP Rumin Farhana is running as an independent in Brahmanbaria-2. NCP defector Tasnim Jara is contesting from Dhaka-10, while former DUCSU VP Nurul Haque Nur is in the race from Patuakhali-3. Barrister Andaleeve Rahman Partho is contesting from Bhola-1, and economist Dr Reza Kibria is running from Habiganj-1 as BNP candidates.
With the final list now published, constituency-wise equations are expected to become clearer in the coming days. However, the face-to-face battles among heavyweight candidates have already made the election highly competitive and closely watched across the country.
