Dhaka, Oct 06 (V7N) – The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has largely finalized its list of single candidates for more than 200 parliamentary constituencies ahead of the upcoming national elections. Formal instructions will be issued to the nominated candidates in the third week of October to begin mass communication campaigns.

BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed confirmed that the party finalized its single candidates after a series of meetings aimed at resolving seat-based disputes. He warned that if any local leader fails to support the officially nominated paddy sheaf candidate, they will face expulsion.

Meanwhile, former ally Jamaat-e-Islami, once a partner in electoral alliances, has now become a political rival. Despite supporting proportional representation in principle, Jamaat has already started field-level campaigning with its own seat-based candidates.

BNP’s Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi explained the delay in finalizing nominations, saying:

“Selecting someone with genuine mass involvement takes time. If a party suddenly declares candidates, it shows that their organizational foundation is not strong. Ours is a mass-based party.”

Party sources said that in most constituencies, there were at least four potential BNP candidates, often leading to internal disputes. To resolve these, senior BNP leaders, including Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, conducted interviews throughout September and reviewed multiple surveys at district and upazila levels.

The BNP has finalized around 200 candidates through this process. In constituencies with a high likelihood of rebel candidacies, the party plans to take a strategic approach until the official election schedule is announced.

Salahuddin Ahmed added that the BNP wants all factions to work together:

“We have already started discussions so that everyone can unite behind a single candidate. We hope to make the announcement by the third week of this month.”

The BNP faced widespread criticism in 2018 for nominating multiple candidates in several constituencies. Determined to avoid a repeat, the party has decided to prioritize competent organizers, active movement participants, and socially acceptable figures.

BNP policymakers also hinted at a balanced mix of experienced leaders and young faces in this year’s nomination list.

“Past political experience, popularity, and public acceptability are key factors,” Salahuddin said.
“We want candidates who can compete effectively both inside and outside parliament, and there will be youth representation as well.”

Ruhul Kabir Rizvi added that the public perception of candidates will play a decisive role in nominations:

“Alongside movement participation, we are also considering whether people’s attitudes toward the candidate are positive or negative.”

At the same time, the BNP is seeking to finalize arrangements with its allies from the simultaneous movement. The party has requested lists of potential candidates from partner organizations. Though BNP has a policy decision to concede up to 50 seats to strong allied contenders, senior leaders said they would keep that flexibility open until the election schedule is announced.

END/SMA/AJ