BNP's Preliminary Election Candidate List: 237 Names, 63 Seats for Allies

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) unveiled its preliminary list of 237 candidates for the 13th national parliamentary election on Monday, reserving 63 seats for allies and potential adjustments. The announcement, made at a press conference in Gulshan by Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, emphasizes a mix of veterans and fresh faces to strengthen the "Sheaf of Paddy" symbol.

Key highlights:

• Chairperson Khaleda Zia: Contesting from Bogura-7, Dinajpur-3, and Feni-1.
• Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman: Bogura-6 (Sadar) – his ancestral seat, marking his electoral debut after 17 years in exile.
• Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul: Thakurgaon-1.
• Dhaka-14: Sanjida Islam Tulip (Human Rights activist).

Prominent Candidates:

• Standing Committee: Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain (Cumilla-1), Mirza Abbas (Dhaka-8), Gayeshwar Chandra Roy (Dhaka-3), Abdul Moyeen Khan (Narsingdi-2), Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury (Chattogram-10), Salahuddin Ahmed (Cox’s Bazar-1), Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku (Sirajganj-2), Hafiz Uddin Ahmed (Bhola-3), AZM Zahid Hossain (Dinajpur-6).
• Vice Chairmen: Altaf Hossain Chowdhury (Patuakhali-1), Barkat Ullah Bulu (Noakhali-3), Mohammad Shahjahan (Noakhali-4), Abdul Awal Mintoo (Feni-3), Nitai Roy Chowdhury (Magura-2), Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad (Cumilla-3), Ahmed Azam Khan (Tangail-8).
• Advisers: Khandaker Abdul Moktadir (Sylhet-1), Abul Khair Bhuiya (Lakshmipur-2), Mahbub Uddin Khokon (Noakhali-1), Joynul Abedin Faruk (Noakhali-4), Zahiruddin Swapan (Barishal-1), Majibur Rahman Sarower (Barishal-5), Lutfuzzaman Babar (Netrokona-4), Tajbir ul Islam (Kurigram-3), Habibur Rahman Habib (Pabna-4), Mushfiqur Rahman (Brahmanbaria-4), Afroza Khan Rita (Manikganj-3), Syed Emran Saleh Prince (Mymensingh-1).
• Joint Secretaries: Khairul Kabir Khokon (Narsingdi-1), Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie (Lakshmipur-2), Syed Emran Saleh Prince (Mymensingh-1).

Other notables include Lalmonirhat-3 (Asadul Habib Dulu), Rajshahi-2 (Mizanur Rahman Minu), Natore-2 (Ruhul Quddus Talukder Dulu), Khulna-2 (Nazrul Islam Manju), Khulna-5 (Ali Azgar Lobi), Patuakhali-1 (Altaf Hossain Chowdhury), Netrokona-1 (Barrister Kayser Kamal), Kishoreganj-3 (Dr. Osman Faruk), Munshiganj-2 (Mizanur Rahman Sinha), Dhaka-6 (Ishraque Hossain), Narsingdi-1 (Khairul Kabir Khokon), Chandpur-1, Chattogram-7 (Hummam Quader Chowdhury).

The list balances youth and experience, with 83 first-time candidates, including Abdul Awal Mintoo, Zahid Hossain, Ishraque Hossain, Sanjida Islam, JCD leader Kazi Rawnakul Islam, and Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas. Ten women candidates include Khaleda Zia, Farzana Sharmin (Natore-1), Sabira Sultana (Jashore-2), Sansila Zebrin (Sherpur-1), Israt Sultana Elen Bhutto (Jhalakati-2), Afroza Khan Rita (Manikganj-3), Sanjida Islam Tulip (Dhaka-14), Shama Obaed Islam (Faridpur-2), Tahsina Rushdir (Sylhet-2), and Nayab Yusuf (Faridpur-3).

Fakhrul said, "This is a preliminary list. We reserved seats for allies and those in the simultaneous movement. We hope they announce soon, then we'll finalize ours. It may change after discussions."

Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed noted the process as a "pre-election exercise" to ensure unity. A leaked draft was dismissed as fake by Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed.

Post-announcement, rallies featuring the BNP symbol erupted nationwide, with protests in Madaripur, Chattogram, Kushtia, and Meherpur against some nominees. Tarique directed five constituency surveys and resolved disputes with Standing Committee members.

Bogura, Ziaur Rahman's birthplace, remains a BNP stronghold. Khaleda first contested Bogura-7 in 1991, then Bogura-6 since 1996, winning both. She was born in Dinajpur and traces ancestry to Feni.

Tarique is expected to return after 17 years in London exile with his family.

Bagerhat is the only district with three seats where no candidates were announced.

Check the full list here.