TDS Desk:

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is bracing for a challenging task: selecting the right candidates to contest the upcoming general election amid the dramatic political shift after the ousting of the “fascist” Awami League regime on 5 August 2024.

As the BNP prepares for a return to the electoral battleground, party leaders say they must carefully balance a wide range of considerations in choosing nominees.

These include adhering to their 31-point state reform agenda, accommodating coalition partners, filteringout opportunists – particularly wealthy individuals who did not stand by the party during its years of hardship – and ensuring candidates possess both popular appeal and the qualities needed to be effective parliamentarians.

Party sources revealed that nearly 2,000 individuals have expressed interest in contesting the 300 parliamentary seats, with many already actively campaigning in their constituencies.

A handful of candidates have received the party’s initial endorsement, while selections for about 100 seats – those involving prominent figures like BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, acting chairman Tarique Rahman, and Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir – are reportedly near finalisation.

“BNP is a democratic and election-oriented political party. That’s why we are always prepared to take part in elections,” BNP Standing Committee Member Iqbal Hassan Mahmud Tuku told this correspondent.

“Some preparations, such as finalising nominations, will be completed once the election schedule is announced”

He added, “We currently have five to seven potential candidates vying for nomination in each constituency. We aim to select the most suitable contenders from among them.”

Tuku outlined the primary criteria for nomination: integrity, popularity, and the ability to help implement the party’s proposed reforms for the state.

BALANCING YOUTH AND EXPERIENCE

Senior leaders said the party aims to strike a balance between youth and experience when finalising its candidate list.

Those who have proven their loyalty during the party’s political struggles, who enjoy strong local support, and who have a history of involvement in past movements will be prioritised.

“Candidates who previously contested elections between 1991 and 2018 and remain popular will also be considered,” a senior BNP leader said, adding, “Several teams are already working in the field to assess and shortlist qualified candidates.”

The BNP also plans to field a significant number of young contenders in a push to cultivate a new generation of leadership.

Party sources indicated that around 100 young candidates may be nominated for the forthcoming 13th parliamentary election.

Vice Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu confirmed that the BNP has already completed approximately 80% of its preparation for the upcoming national election.

Meanwhile, the party’s Research Affairs Secretary Shamimur Rahman Shamim told this correspondent that he is preparing to contest from Bagerhat-3.

“The nomination process hasn’t been finalised yet, but several of us have received informal approval from the top leadership,” he said.

SEAT-SHARING WITH ALLIES A KEY CHALLENGE

One of the most sensitive and complex aspects of the BNP’s electoral strategy involves negotiating seat-sharing arrangements with its allies.

Dozens of parties that joined forces with the BNP during its movement against the Awami League are now seeking a fair share of seats, and, many want to contest under BNP’s electoral symbol “Paddy Sheaf”.

Syrul Kabir Khan, a member of BNP’s Media Cell, told this correspondent that roughly 40 registered and unregistered parties are currently aligned under the BNP’s banner. “We expect even more parties to join just before the election,” he added.

In 2018, the BNP allocated 59 seats to allies. This time, insiders say the party may share 60-70 seats.

Nagorik Oikya Convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna said, “We’ll probably contest the election as part of an alliance, but formal discussions are still pending.”

Saiful Huq, general secretary of the Revolutionary Workers Party of Bangladesh, noted, “The BNP has indicated it will share seats with parties that stood together in the movement against authoritarianism.”

Shahadat Hossain Selim of the Bangladesh Liberal Democratic Party echoed this, stating that BNP had assured them of seat allocations in the upcoming election.

However, BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury clarified that formal seat-sharing negotiations will begin only after the election schedule is announced. “We’ll initiate discussions with all like-minded parties once the official process begins,” he said.

Acting chairman Tarique Rahman has already declared that, if victorious, the BNP will form a national government in coalition with the parties that fought alongside it against the Awami League regime.

FENDING OFF OPPORTUNISTS

Party insiders acknowledge a growing influx of opportunists – wealthy individuals seeking nominations for personal or business interests – posing a threat to the integrity of the BNP’s candidate selection process.

Senior figures worry that nominating the wrong people could hurt the party at the polls and derail its reform agenda, even if it wins power.

“We must be vigilant,” said a senior leader. “If we compromise on quality now, we will struggle to implement the reforms we’ve promised.”

Adding momentum to the electoral build-up, a recent meeting between Tarique Rahman and the interim government’s Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, in London reportedly resulted in a consensus to hold the 13th national election in the second week of February 2026.

Following the announcement, election preparations intensified in all 300 constituencies. (Source: Sun)