A major party secured victory in the 13th National Parliamentary Election, but the defeat of several well-known figures has drawn considerable attention.
Many of these candidates were highly visible in national politics, television talk shows, protest movements and social media, generating sustained discussion ahead of polling day. However, the final vote counts told a different story, as party organisation, local equations and electoral arithmetic ultimately proved decisive in a number of constituencies.
Golam Parwar
In Khulna-5, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Golam Parwar failed to retain his seat. Contesting with the scale symbol, he secured 144,956 votes.
BNP candidate Mohammad Ali Asgar Lobby won the race with 147,658 votes, defeating him by a narrow margin of 2,702.
Sarjis Alam
A familiar face among young voters, Sarjis Alam generated widespread discussion ahead of the election. In Panchagarh-1, he was defeated by BNP International Affairs Secretary Barrister Nawshad Jamir.
According to unofficial results announced by the district returning officer’s office around 1:00am on Thursday, Nawshad Jamir secured 22,134 votes with the sheaf of paddy symbol, while Sarjis Alam received 20,199.
Tasnim Jara
Despite her activism in the health sector and strong social media presence, organisational limitations and local dynamics posed major challenges for Tasnim Jara. In Dhaka-9, the former NCP leader, contesting as an independent with the football symbol, received 44,684 votes.
BNP candidate Habibur Rashid unofficially won the seat with 111,212 votes.
Syed Mohammad Faizul Karim
Islami Andolon Bangladesh Senior Nayeb-e-Ameer Mufti Syed Mohammad Faizul Karim was defeated in two constituencies—Barisal-5 (City–Sadar) and Barisal-6 (Bakerganj).
In Barisal-5, he secured 95,044 votes, losing to BNP’s Mujibur Rahman Sarwar, who polled 135,146 votes, a margin of 40,102.
In Barisal-6, Faizul Karim received 55,988 votes, finishing third. BNP’s Abul Hossain Khan won with 82,217 votes.
Nasir Uddin Patwary
One of the most talked-about contests in the capital took place in Dhaka-8, where NCP’s Nasir Uddin Patwary faced BNP heavyweight Mirza Abbas. The campaign sparked intense debate, particularly on social media.
Of the 109 centres in the constituency, voting was held directly in 108. Mirza Abbas secured 56,552 votes from these centres and 2,814 postal ballots, taking his total to 59,366. Patwary received 51,572 votes from polling centres and 2,555 postal ballots, totalling 54,127—a margin of 5,239.
GM Quader
In Rangpur-3, Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader finished third with 43,385 votes.
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Mahbubur Rahman Belal won the seat with 175,827 votes, while BNP’s Md Shamsuzzaman Samu secured 84,578.
Mohammad Shishir Manir
Well known in legal circles, senior Supreme Court lawyer Mohammad Shishir Manir failed to achieve the expected result amid stiff competition. In Sunamganj-2 (Dirai–Shalla), the Jamaat-e-Islami–nominated candidate lost by a wide margin.
Unofficial results from all 111 centres showed BNP candidate Nasir Uddin Chowdhury securing 97,790 votes, while Shishir Manir received 57,858.
Asaduzzaman Bhuiyan
Despite frequent appearances in television debates and political commentary, a lack of organisational strength on the ground proved costly for Barrister Fuad, formally Asaduzzaman Bhuiyan. In Barisal-3 (Muladi–Babuganj), the Amar Bangladesh Party candidate was defeated by nearly 21,000 votes.
Out of 126 centres, BNP’s Zainal Abedin secured 78,131 votes, while Bhuiyan, contesting with the eagle symbol, received 57,149.
Mujibur Rahman Manju
Despite long-standing political involvement, Mujibur Rahman Manju failed to manage the electoral equation in his own constituency. In Feni-2, the AB Party chairman was defeated by BNP-nominated candidate Prof Zainal Abdin.
Zainal Abdin secured 131,210 votes, while Manju received 80,058.
Mamunul Haque
Although influential in religion-based politics, that influence was not fully reflected in vote totals. In Dhaka-13 (Mohammadpur–Adabor–Shyamoli), Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Ameer Mamunul Haque was defeated by BNP candidate Bobby Hajjaj.
Bobby Hajjaj secured 88,387 votes.
Mahmudur Rahman Manna
In Bogra-2 (Shibganj), Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna was widely considered a heavyweight contender but suffered a resounding defeat.
He received just 3,426 votes and consequently lost his deposit. BNP candidate Mir Shahe Alam won with 145,024 votes, while Jamaat candidate Maulana Shahadatuzzaman secured 93,548.
Abdul Latif Siddiqui
In Tangail-4 (Kalihati), independent candidate Abdul Latif Siddiqui received 62,509 votes, losing to BNP’s Lutfar Rahman Matin, who secured 105,342.
Saiful Haque
In Dhaka-12, Jamaat nominee Saiful Alam won by a large margin, defeating BNP alliance-backed candidate Saiful Haque.
Saiful Alam secured 53,773 votes, while Saiful Haque received 30,963—a difference of 22,180.
Aminul Haque
In Dhaka-16, BNP candidate Aminul Haque narrowly lost to Jamaat-e-Islami nominee Abdul Baten.
Abdul Baten won with 88,828 votes, while Aminul Haque received 85,467.
Rashed Khan
In Jhenaidah-4, BNP nominee Rashed Khan finished third with 55,670 votes. Jamaat candidate Abu Talib won the seat with 104,031 votes.
Gias Uddin Taheri
In Habiganj-4, Bangladesh Islami Front candidate Gias Uddin Taheri secured 84,323 votes.
BNP’s SM Foysal won decisively with 188,072 votes, defeating him by a margin of 103,749.
