In all of the parliamentary elections held since independence in 1971, the Awami League has won the seat of Cox’s Bazar 1 only once.
Encompassing Chakaria and Pekua upazilas, this constituency has 390,681 registered voters and has historically been known as a BNP bastion, with the party winning the seat in 2001 and 2008.
However, the Jatiya Party won the most recent election in 2014 when the BNP staged a boycott, and it is again looking forward to sharing the constituency with the Awami League-led grand alliance.
Jamaat won the constituency in the 1991 general election but has so far been silent about its plans for nominations ahead of the 11th general election, which is slated for December 30.
Race for Awami League nomination
Several aspirants are vying for the nomination from the Awami League.
Chakaria upazila unit president Zafar Alam and upazila parishad chair Zafar Alam are well ahead of the other aspirants, however, no final decision has been made yet.
Other aspirants are Awami League Cox’s Bazar district unit former general secretary Salauddin Ahmed, vice- presidents Amzad Hossain and Rezaul Karim, and leaders Md Mithun and Md Ashraful Islam Sajeeb.
BNP front runners
BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed, who was recently released from jail in India, is likely to seek the nomination to contest the election. His party, however, has not launched any campaigns yet.
Aspirants from other parties
Jamaat is working on drumming up support even after the cancellation of its registration by the Election Commission last month.
According to sources, a local Jamaat leader might run for the election as an independent candidate.
Jatiya Party leader MdIlias, who is the current MP, is again seeking the nomination and has been busy campaigning.
Salauddin Mahmud, from Anwar Hossain Manju-led Jatiya Party, is also seeking a nomination.