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An 11-party electoral alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami has finalised seat-sharing arrangements for 253 of the 300 parliamentary constituencies, firmly establishing Jamaat as the dominant force within the bloc.
Jamaat-Led alliance finalises seat deal
Dhaka: A major shift in Bangladesh’s political landscape has emerged ahead of the 13th national parliamentary elections, scheduled for February 12, 2026.
An 11-party electoral alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami has finalised seat-sharing arrangements for 253 of the 300 parliamentary constituencies, firmly establishing Jamaat as the dominant force within the bloc.
The agreement was announced at a press conference on Thursday at the Diploma Engineers Institute in Kakrail, Dhaka. This will be the country’s first general election since the removal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the installation of an interim government.
The polls are widely seen as critical for restoring democratic stability, though concerns over electoral fairness persist, particularly following the ban on the Awami League.
“An Election to Save the Nation’s Existence”
Jamaat-e-Islami’s Naib Amir, Syed Abdullah Mohammad Tahir, described the alliance as unprecedented in Bangladesh’s political history.
“This election is an election to save the existence of the country,” he said. “Never before has such a broad alliance representing diverse opinions come together. We will contest the election unitedly under the ‘One Box Policy’.”
Seat Distribution Highlights
Under the current arrangement, Jamaat-e-Islami will contest 179 seats, accounting for nearly 70 percent of the agreed constituencies, underscoring its central role in the alliance.
The remaining seats have been distributed among allied parties, though allocations for groups such as JAGPA and the Khilafat Movement are yet to be formally announced.
Uncertainty Over Islamic Movement Bangladesh
Notably absent from the press conference was Islamic Movement Bangladesh, led by Charmonai Pir. Alliance leaders, however, stated that negotiations with the party are ongoing and that 40–45 seats have been tentatively reserved for them.
Jamaat leaders expressed optimism that a final agreement would be reached soon.
Call to Youth and Anti-Rigging Stand
Addressing the gathering, Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Dr. Shafiqur Rahman made a direct appeal to young voters.
“Young people must come out to vote and return home only after ensuring their votes are counted,” he said, warning that any attempt at electoral manipulation would not be tolerated.
He also demanded justice for Usman bin Hadi, referring to him as a revolutionary martyr whose killing must be properly investigated.
Why This Alliance Matters
The Jamaat-led alliance has the potential to significantly reshape Bangladesh’s political future. By securing control over the majority of seats within the bloc and aligning with parties such as the National Citizen Party (NCP) and Khilafat Majlis, Jamaat has effectively consolidated a broad Islamist-nationalist front.
The seat-sharing formula signals not only electoral strategy but also the ideological direction the alliance intends to pursue in a post-Hasina political era.
