Jamaat-led alliance finalizes seat sharing in 253 constituencies
BSS
16 Jan 2026 09:33 AM । Update: 16 Jan 2026 09:34 AM
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party electoral alliance on Thursday announced seat allocations for 253 constituencies for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election.
Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher formally declared the seat distribution on behalf of the alliance at a joint press conference of the alliance at the Institution of Diploma Engineers in the capital in the evening.
Jamaat-e-Islami will contest 179 seats, National Citizen Party (NCP) 30 seats, Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis 20 seats, Khilafat Majlis 10 seats, and Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) seven seats out of the 300 parliamentary constituencies.
Besides, Nezame-e-Islam Party will contest two seats, Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party three seats and Bangladesh Development Party two seats.
Dr Taher said the number of seats to be contested by Bangladesh Khilafat Andolan and Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (Jagpa) has not yet been finalised. Moreover, no representative from Islami Andolan Bangladesh was present at the press conference.
Speaking on the issue of seat sharing with Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman said discussions with the party were still ongoing. "The alliance remains intact as an 11-party platform. Talks with Islami Andolan Bangladesh are continuing," he said.
Dr Shafiqur Rahman said the alliance would not accept any form of vote rigging in the election. "We want to ensure the votes of the youth. We demand justice for the murder of Hadi. We know who were involved in this killing," he said.
He said, "After 54 years of politics riddled with rot, the nation desires liberation, and it is this aspiration that drives our united effort."
Rejecting past political practices, he added, "We do not want the old politics that turns fascist and weighs heavily on the nation, killing innocent people or indulging in corruption and extortion. Instead, embracing the spirit of the July Revolution, we aim to build a new, inclusive Bangladesh that reflects the aspirations of our youth."
On electoral integrity, he said, "There will be no tolerance for electoral engineering, rigging, or vote theft as in the past. The youth who were unable to cast their votes in the last three elections will have their rights fully ensured, and we call on them to exercise their franchise responsibly."
Paying tribute to the nation's sacrifices, he said, "We can repay the debt only by creating a new Bangladesh free from authoritarianism and fascism." He also demanded justice for the killing of Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, warning, "Without justice, no new revolutionaries will emerge, and the nation will fear taking risks."
NCP Convener Nahid Islam said, "Several political parties that stand for reform, freedom, anti-discrimination, and anti-corruption in Bangladesh have come together on a single platform."
He added, "We will move forward carrying the vision of the Bangladesh we desire-a Bangladesh rooted in the values of equality, human dignity, and social justice of our great Liberation War," noting the alliance also embraces "the spirit of the 1947 struggle for freedom, along with all historic movements."
Emphasising unity, he said, "Across Bangladesh, in every constituency, there will be no individual party candidates. From today's announcement onward, all candidates will be identified as nominees of the 11-party electoral alliance."
He further said, "Through collective cooperation, we will work in favour of the people, in favour of the 'Yes' vote, and deliver an electoral outcome that will move Bangladesh forward."
LDP President Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmed Bir Bikram urged the people to uphold the rule of law, good governance, and a system free from extortion and corruption. He said, "If you undermine yourselves, no one will be able to come to your aid."
He said, "The country must now decide-will you submit to India's domination, or will you serve the people of Bangladesh?" and added, "Those of us present here have not come to rule over the people; rather, we have come to work as servants of the people."
Referring to the election environment, Oli Ahmed said, "If such an environment is not created, then not only the Chief Election Commissioner but others as well-just as many have gone to jail before-will also face imprisonment in the future, and you will not be spared."
He urged officials, "Do not follow anyone blindly or show allegiance to any individual. Serve only the people of Bangladesh. Do what is best for the country."
Criticizing the election process, Oli Ahmed said, "People are still not receiving proper justice. Petitions submitted to grant legitimacy to some or to declare others illegitimate are not being reviewed properly, nor are decisions being delivered fairly."
Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish Ameer Mawlana Mamunul Haque said, "Our journey essentially began with the July Revolution and its aspirations-its commitment to reform, to a discrimination-free Bangladesh, and to liberating the people and the country from the politics of corruption and misrule."
"As part of this continued struggle, we came together long ago with the noble objective of implementing the July Charter on a solid legal foundation," he added.
"Through phased movements and sustained political struggle, including the demand for a referendum to ensure the legal implementation of the July Charter, we have traversed a long path of activism and electoral politics."
"In this context, eleven political parties have reached a consensus to jointly face and participate in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election."
"Today, based on this consensus, we will announce our seat-sharing arrangement."
"Through this arrangement, a 'one-box policy' will be implemented nationwide, under which a single jointly nominated candidate will be finalized for each constituency on behalf of the eleven-party electoral alliance."
"We call upon leaders and activists of all allied parties, as well as the people of the country, to work collectively in support of the nominated candidates in every constituency."
"At the same time, we urge the entire nation to unite and ensure the victory of the 'Yes' vote in the referendum aimed at legally enforcing the July Charter."
"The objective of today's press conference is to mobilize the people of Bangladesh toward unified action for the full and effective implementation of the July Charter through legal means."
Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon leader Maulana Mujibur Rahman Hamid, Nezame Islami Party leader Anwarul Haque, Amar Bangladesh Party Chairman Mujibur Rahman Manju, Bangladesh Development Party President Advocate Anwar Islam, Jagpa Spokesperson and Senior Vice President Engineer Rashed Pradhan, NCP Spokesperson Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan, Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari and senior leaders from different parties were present in the programme.
