Jamaat may contest up to 220 seats, leaves Barishal-6 for Islami Andolan leader

Highlights

• Jamaat demands similar security, state protocol to ameer as BNP chair
• 10-party alliance to announce final seat-sharing on Monday
• Others to share 47 seats left vacant by Islami Andolan
• Seeks CCTV cameras at all polling centres, security forces outside

Jamaat-e-Islami has decided not to field a candidate in the Barishal-6 constituency as a gesture of courtesy toward Mufti Syed Fayzul Karim, senior nayeb-e-ameer of Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB). 

Jamaat said the move reflects political etiquette and recognition of Islami Andolan's role in earlier alliance-building efforts.

The decision was announced today (18 January) by Jamaat Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher at a press briefing following a meeting with Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Younus.

Taher said, although Islami Andolan is contesting the election separately due to technical reasons, Jamaat wants to maintain cordial relations with like-minded parties.

According to reliable party sources, Jamaat 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.

Meanwhile, Islami Andolan Bangladesh said in a statement today that it would support "honest and competent" candidates from anti-fascist political forces in the remaining 32 constituencies where it has not fielded candidates under its own "hand fan" symbol.

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.

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.

Speaking to TBS today, 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."

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.

Jamaat demands equal security, level playing field

At the meeting with the chief adviser last night, Jamaat demanded that its ameer, Dr Shafiqur Rahman, be provided with the same level of security and state protocol as BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman, saying equal treatment is essential to ensure a level playing field in the election.

Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher alleged that the provision of excessive security and state protocol to the leader of a particular political party amounted to a violation of the electoral code of conduct and undermined fairness in the election process.

Taher added that the chief adviser expressed surprise at the allegations and assured the Jamaat delegation that instructions for equal treatment had already been issued.

Jamaat urged the authorities to identify and remove any obstacles preventing the implementation of those directives.

Jamaat also placed several other demands related to the election, including the installation of CCTV cameras at all polling centres, keeping security forces outside polling booths on voting day.