BNP candidates lead in early count across Gopalganj seats amid low turnout, sporadic violence

BNP candidates were leading in all three parliamentary constituencies of Gopalganj as counting continued late into the night, according to results available until 10pm, though voter turnout remained noticeably low across the district.

In Gopalganj-1 (Muksudpur and part of Kashiani), BNP candidate and the party's central Assistant Organising Secretary, Md Selimuzzaman Mollah, secured 2,214 votes based on final results from five polling centres. His closest rival is Kabir Mia of the Gono Odhikar Parishad. Jamaat-e-Islami has also fielded a candidate in the seat – Muhammad Abdul Hamid, a Shura member and former district ameer.

In Gopalganj-2 (Sadar and seven unions of Kashiani), the BNP nominated KM Babar, a member of the district convening committee and information and technology secretary of the pro-BNP physicians' platform, Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB). Jamaat did not field any candidate in this constituency.

In Gopalganj-3 (Tungipara and Kotalipara), BNP candidate and central president of the Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal SM Zilani moved ahead after results from 16 centres showed him securing 6,737 votes. His nearest competitor, independent candidate Gobinda Chandra Pramanik, received 4,879 votes. 

Postal ballot counts released from 22 of 32 centres further strengthened Zilani's lead, with 11,855 votes compared to Pramanik's 3,943. Jilani had previously contested this seat against Sheikh Hasina in both 2008 and 2018 but lost on both occasions.

Although the three constituencies together have more than one million registered voters, polling stations reported thin turnout throughout the day.

A total of 38 candidates initially submitted nominations to contest the three seats in the 13th parliamentary election. After scrutiny, 26 candidates remained valid, averaging more than eight contenders per constituency. 

The BNP fielded candidates in all three seats. Jamaat-e-Islami contested two, leaving one for its alliance partner, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis. The National Citizens' Party (NCP) and Ganadhikar Parishad each nominated candidates in one seat, alongside several smaller parties.

Historically, the three Gopalganj seats – the birthplace district of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman – have been strongholds of the Awami League. Sheikh Hasina traditionally contested from Gopalganj-3. The district has long been regarded as an Awami League bastion. 

However, following last year's mass uprising, the interim government banned the party's activities. The Awami League did not participate in this election and instead called for a boycott. Local leaders largely avoided public mobilisation for the boycott, as many face legal cases or remain in custody. The boycott appeared to have its strongest impact in Gopalganj.

The election period was also marred by violence. On the eve of polling, crude bombs were exploded in front of 12 centres across the district. On election morning, another cocktail bomb blast occurred at the Reshma International School centre in Gopalganj town, injuring two Ansar personnel and a child. 

Counting was ongoing at the time of filing this report.