The ruling Awami League, the main opposition in Parliament, the Jatiya Party (JaPa), and some other smaller parties are getting ready to contest the upcoming 12th national parliament election without the opposition on the street, including the BNP and like-minded parties.
After Sunday, the last day of nomination withdrawal, 27 registered political parties, and 1,896 candidates are set to contest the polls.
On the last day, after a series of discussions, the Awami League finalized its seat-sharing with JaPa, a partner in the 14-party alliance. Although it was assumed that the Awami League would leave some seats for Trinamool BNP and some other minor parties, the ruling party officially did not leave any seats for them.
On Sunday afternoon, Awami League President Sheikh Hasina sent a letter to the Election Commission with the final candidate list of the ruling party. The Awami League has nominated 263 party candidates and six candidates from 14-party alliance partners who will contest the election with the boat symbol.
The Awami League did not file or withdraw candidates for 26 seats, leaving them for the Jatiya Party candidates. JaPa will contest the seats with the plough symbol.
In five seats, the Awami League-nominated candidates were rejected by the Election Commission for various reasons.
Jatiya Party has fielded candidates in 283 seats, including the 26 seats the Awami League left for them.
BNP and other critics say that the Awami League distributes seats and plots a "shared election." Responding to these remarks, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said: "How can the election be a shared one where there are 28 political parties and about 2,000 candidates are participating?"
While talking with Dhaka Tribune, some senior leaders of the Awami League said the Awami League took some strategic decisions to make the election more competitive this time, and seat-sharing with the JaPa and the 14-party alliance is also part of this strategy.
While talking with the reporter on Sunday, Jatiya Party Secretary General Mujibul Hoque Chunnu echoed the same lines on a competitive election when asked about seat-sharing with the Awami League.
Which 32 seats have AL left for its allies?
The 26 constituencies that have been left for JaPa are Thakurgaon-3, Nilphamari-3 and 4, Rangpur-1 and 3, Kurigram-1 and 2, Gaibandha-1 and 2, Bogra-2 and 3, Satkhira-2, Patuakhali-1, Barishal-3, Pirojpur-3, Mymensingh-5 and 8, Kishoreganj-3, Manikganj-1, Dhaka-18, Habiganj-1, Brahmanbaria-2, Feni-3, and Chittagong-5 and 8.
From the beginning, the Awami League did not nominate any candidate for the Narayanganj-5 constituency, where a JaPa candidate is contesting in the polls.
AL Office Secretary Biplab Barua revealed that the Awami League had initially nominated candidates for 298 constituencies, but the EC rejected five. Subsequently, these candidates sought legal recourse by approaching the High Court to regain their candidature.
"At present, we have 293 valid candidates. As participants in the alliance, we have vacated six constituencies for our three alliance partners," he explained.
Barua further detailed the allocation of seats among the alliance members, with the Workers Party of Bangladesh granted two seats, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JaSoD) three, and Jatiya Party (JaPa) one seat.
The constituencies relinquished for other alliance partners include Bogura-4, Rajshahi-2, Kushtia-2, Barishal-2, Pirojpur-2, and Lakshmipur-4.
What will happen to the other parties?
Apart from JaPa and the 14-party alliance, the Kalyan Party is confident in victory for its candidate, General Muhammad Ibrahim from Cox's Bazar, as Salahuddin Ahmed, the party candidate of the Awami League, has been rejected by the Election Commission.
A favourable environment is also being created for BNM's Shah Abu Zafar to win in Faridpur. However, Awami League Presidium Member Abdur Rahman is contesting in this constituency, and other rebels are also in the electoral race.
Trinamool BNP thought their leaders, Shamsher Mubin Chowdhury and Taimur Alam Khandkar, would be left to contest in Sylhet and Narayanganj. Still, the ruling party has not left the seats uncontested.
Apart from these parties, no settlement on seat-sharing has been reached between the Awami League and the Bikapladhara party, which the former president, AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury, formed. Its General Secretary MA Mannan's nomination papers have been cancelled, and B Chowdhury's son Mahi B Chowdhury is contesting from Munshiganj-1 constituency.
Meanwhile, there is no possibility of a seat compromise with Islamist parties. Those who have contacted these parties on behalf of the Awami League are not guaranteeing that these parties will be left with any seats. They have been asked to wait for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's consideration.
Several sources in the Awami League said it is still essential to settle seat sharing before voting day, as the Awami League has several rebel candidates in the voting field. A decision may be taken later as the situation demands.
Previous elections
The 14-party alliance, led by the Awami League, was formed in 2004 and participated in the 9th national parliament election with the Jatiya Party in 2008. In this election, the Awami League won 230 seats, the BNP won 30 seats, the Jatiya Party won 27 seats, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JaSod) won three seats, Jamaat-e-Islami two seats, the Workers Party two seats, the BJP one seat, the LDP one seat, and independent candidates won four seats.
On January 5, 2014, Bangladesh's 10th national parliament election was held. Out of 300 constituencies, candidates were elected unopposed in 153. The Awami League won 234 seats, Jatiya Party 34, Workers Party six, JaSod five, Jatiya Party two, Tarikat Federation two, BNF one, and independent candidates won 16 seats. Most political parties, including the BNP, boycotted the election.
The 11th National Parliament election was held on December 30, 2018. All 39 registered parties participated in this election. Out of 300 constituencies, elections were held in 299 due to the death of a candidate. The Awami League won 259 seats, resulting in one seat being suspended.
Jatiya Party won 20 seats with the plough symbol, BNP won five seats with the paddy symbol, Workers Party of Bangladesh won three, JaSoD won two, Bikalpadhara Bangladesh won two, Jatiya Party won one, Tarikat Federation won one, Gono Forum won two, and independent candidates won three seats.
