Islami Andolan Bangladesh has officially announced that it will contest the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election independently in 268 constituencies. The party has decided to distance itself from the recently formed “11-Party Electoral Alliance” led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami due to failed seat-sharing negotiations and ideological differences.
Gazi Ataur Rahman, the Senior Joint Secretary General and spokesperson of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, made the announcement during a press conference held today, Friday (January 16), at the party’s central office in Purana Paltan.
Key Highlights from the Announcement:
- Candidate Strength: The party originally submitted nomination papers for 270 seats. However, two nominations were cancelled, leaving 268 valid candidates in the field.
- No Withdrawals: Gazi Ataur Rahman emphasized that not a single candidate from the party will withdraw their nomination. They will contest the polls separately.
- Remaining Seats: For the remaining 32 seats where Islami Andolan does not have candidates, the party will support individuals whose policies and ideologies align with their own.
- Reason for Split: The spokesperson expressed dissatisfaction with the “one-box policy” of the 11-party alliance, stating that the alliance failed to meet its objectives and that Islami Andolan faced “hostility regarding fairness” in seat distribution.
The Alliance Rift
The decision comes just a day after the Jamaat-led alliance announced its seat-sharing arrangement for 253 seats at the Diploma Engineers Institute. While the alliance kept 47 seats vacant—hoping to accommodate Islami Andolan—the two sides failed to reach an agreement by the Thursday night deadline.
Gazi Ataur Rahman noted that while Jamaat is a significant force, Islami Andolan remains “ideologically stronger,” and criticized recent shifts in the alliance’s stance on governance and Sharia law.
With the withdrawal deadline approaching on January 20, this move marks a significant shift in the electoral landscape of Bangladesh, as the country prepares for the general election scheduled for February 12, 2026.
