Jamaat may contest up to 220 seats, announcement expected Monday
Jamaat may concede a maximum of 10 seats from the 47 previously reserved for the Islami Andolan, as the party holds a strong organisational position in most of those constituencies.
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami is likely to contest up to 220 constituencies as the 10-party alliance moves to finalise its seat-sharing arrangement, with a formal announcement expected on Monday (19 January) following negotiations over seats earlier reserved for Islami Andolan Bangladesh.
Earlier on 15 January, the Jamaat-led alliance announced its candidate distribution for the upcoming national election in 253 constituencies, reserving 179 seats for Jamaat, 30 for the National Citizen Party (NCP), and leaving 47 seats vacant for Islami Andolan.
The following day, however, Islami Andolan said that it would contest under its own party symbol, the "hand fan," and vowed to field 268 candidates out of the 300 constituencies.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Leaders from several alliance parties told The Business Standard that discussions over the remaining seats are expected to conclude tonight, with a final seat-sharing announcement likely tomorrow.
According to senior leaders, there is no possibility of Islami Andolan Bangladesh rejoining the alliance. Jamaat may concede a maximum of 10 seats from the 47 previously reserved, as the party holds a strong organisational position in most of those constituencies.
If the current negotiations proceed as expected, Jamaat's total number of seats could rise to around 220, while other alliance partners may receive a limited number of additional constituencies. The NCP's seat tally could increase from 30 to 33 seats.
Yesterday, Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair said the alliance's door remained open for Islami Andolan.
However, conversations with several Jamaat leaders today (18 January) suggested a clear shift, with them indicating that there is no possibility of Islami Andolan returning to the alliance.
Speaking to TBS this afternoon, Zubair said, "The extended discussions on seat-sharing within our 10-party alliance will be completed by tonight. A final announcement will be made on Monday."
He also said that individual parties have nearly finalised their own election manifestos and that alliance leaders will soon sit together to agree on a joint manifesto.
Alliance sources said that three alliance parties – NCP, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, and Khelafat Majlis – are actively negotiating with Jamaat for an increase in their seat allocations.
Each of these parties is seeking around 10 additional seats, although Jamaat is willing to concede only two to three seats per party at most.
Meanwhile, the NCP has announced its final candidates for 27 constituencies, with party leaders indicating that the number may increase by at least five more seats as negotiations continue with the 10-party alliance.
The party also said it is ultimately aiming for around 40 seats.
From last night through this afternoon, the party shared posters featuring the names and photographs of its candidates on the party's verified Facebook page.
