Jamaat presses ahead with candidate rollout, announces aspirants for 293 JS seats

Despite insisting on fundamental reforms before the 13th national elections, the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has already announced candidates for 293 out of 300 constituencies, signalling a full-scale election push while keeping its reform rhetoric alive.

Jamaat has long maintained that it will not join the election without key electoral and political reforms. However, the party has continued rolling out candidate announcements since November last year.

On Friday, it declared nominees for all 33 constituencies in Rangpur. Earlier, it named candidates in Kishoreganj, Tangail, Mymensingh, Sylhet and Barishal divisions. Jamaat's central office said the rest of the names will be released soon. 

Alongside candidate announcements, Jamaat has launched a nationwide campaign. From rallies and meetings to door-to-door visits, its leaders and activists are trying to energise supporters and expand the voter base. New member recruitment is also underway.

Many candidates are actively engaging in community events to enhance visibility. Posters and banners bearing their names have begun appearing in key localities. The party is presenting itself as a reorganised force ready for an electoral contest.

The party insists these activities are to familiarise candidates with local voters and strengthen grassroots connections. 

"These are primary selections," said Assistant Secretary General Maulana Abdul Halim. "Final decisions will follow the election schedule, depending on alliances or seat-sharing."

However, political analysts said Jamaat is positioning itself as the chief rival to BNP, especially since the void left behind after Awami League's disqualification from the upcoming elections.

Although historically far behind both the Awami League and BNP in terms of vote share, Jamaat sees a shifting opportunity. Though previously BNP's ally, Jamaat is now gathering support from smaller parties to build an Islamic-oriented political bloc.

On 28 June, top Jamaat leaders joined a grand rally hosted by Islami Andolan in Dhaka, alongside leaders from the National Citizen Party (NCP), Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, Nezame Islam Party, and others.

While NCP's formal alliance status remains unclear, its presence at recent Islamic coalition gatherings signals tacit alignment. Jamaat leaders say efforts are underway to bring all Islamist votes under a single platform in the upcoming polls.

Reform push, strategic preparedness

Despite ramping up its campaign, Jamaat insists it will not contest the polls without fundamental reforms.

"Free and fair elections are impossible under the current conditions," Jamaat chief Shafiqur Rahman said on Friday. "What kind of election can be held in this situation?"

Speaking to reporters at Saidpur airport before heading to a public rally in Rangpur, he added, "We are preparing candidates, but if needed, we will abstain."

Regarding this dual-track approach, Abdul Halim said, "This is not contradictory. Preparing candidates is part of our year-round work. We believe reforms are progressing. If they're not done in time, we will stay out."

Jamaat's media head Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair added that early announcements help candidates engage locally. "We don't see this as premature. Some senior leaders already have strongholds, but in unknown areas, this is essential," he told TBS.

Both Halim and Zubair insisted that the moves do not clash with their reform demands. "We remain committed to reforms, but being prepared is not a contradiction," said Zubair. "If reforms happen, we are ready to participate. If not, we won't contest."

Jamaat candidates in BNP turf

Meanwhile, Jamaat is not shying away from contesting in BNP's traditional strongholds. In Feni-1—where BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has repeatedly been elected -- Jamaat has nominated central Majlis-e-Shura member, advocate Kalam Ahmed.

In Bogura-6, a seat previously contested by both Khaleda Zia and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Jamaat has named Abidur Rahman Sohel, head of its Bogura city unit. 

In Thakurgaon-1, long held by Fakhrul, Jamaat's candidate is Delwar Hossain, former Shibir president and now a senior Dhaka Jamaat official.

BNP has not taken these moves lightly. The party's Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi yesterday accused Jamaat of attempting to "fish in troubled waters."

"You question the election environment while preparing to contest in full swing. Let me remind you – your party had no problem participating under an autocratic regime, following Sheikh Hasina's script," Rizvi said.

Mocking recent remarks from the Jamaat Ameer, he added, "He sounds like a green activist these days, preaching about the election atmosphere. If you care that much about the environment, perhaps shift focus to the climate crisis instead."