As voters head to polling centres on Thursday for the 13th parliamentary election, the Jamaat-e-Islami–led 11-party alliance has expressed strong confidence in securing what it describes as a “historic mandate,” positioning itself as a central force in the country’s post-uprising political transition.
Leaders of the alliance say the election represents more than a contest for power -- it is, in their view, an opportunity to reshape governance and institutional accountability following the political upheaval of 2024.
Addressing a rally in Sylhet on Saturday, Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman struck an optimistic tone.
“On the 12th, a new history will be written, Insha’Allah,” he said.
“I do not seek Jamaat’s victory; I seek the victory of 180 million people of this country.”
He pledged that if the alliance forms the government, it would ensure justice, rule of law, and equitable development across the country.
Jamaat Assistant Secretary General and head of its central media wing, Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, told Dhaka Tribune that the alliance is receiving “overwhelming public support” across constituencies and expects its candidates to perform strongly.
“People want change, accountability, and stability,” he said, adding that the alliance believes the electorate is ready to deliver a decisive verdict.
Zubair also alleged attempts by “certain identified individuals” to disrupt the electoral environment and urged the Election Commission and law enforcement agencies to ensure a free, fair, and credible vote.
The National Citizen Party (NCP), a key partner in the coalition and widely seen as the political face of the 2024 student-led uprising, has echoed similar expectations.
Nasiruddin Patwary, NCP leader and candidate for Dhaka-8, said the alliance’s campaign has resonated particularly with young voters.
“We hope the government will deliver a credible election without rigging or vote theft. We want to move forward on a democratic path,” he told Dhaka Tribune.
Alliance leaders believe youth participation could be a decisive factor.
Nearly half of the country’s electorate falls within the 18–37 age group, many of whom were active during the mass protests that reshaped the political landscape.
Jamaat and NCP leaders argue that this demographic shift has created momentum in their favor.
The alliance has also pointed to recent student union elections at several public universities, where panels backed by Islami Chhatra Shibir -- Jamaat’s student wing -- performed strongly.
While analysts caution against directly translating campus results into national outcomes, alliance leaders interpret these trends as signs of organizational strength and youth engagement.
Historically, Jamaat secured 17 seats in the 2001 parliamentary election.
Party leaders now say they are aiming for their strongest performance yet.
Jamaat has fielded candidates in 224 constituencies, while its allies -- including NCP, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, Liberal Democratic Party, Amar Bangladesh Party, and others -- are contesting the remaining seats under seat-sharing arrangements.
Opinion surveys released in recent days have offered mixed projections, reflecting uncertainty about the final outcome.
A survey by the International Institute of Law and Diplomacy (IILD) suggested a near tie between the BNP-led and Jamaat-led alliances, projecting 105 “certain win” seats for Jamaat’s bloc and 101 for BNP.
The same survey indicated that more than 75 constituencies could witness tight contests.
Other surveys have projected differing results, underscoring the volatility of voter sentiment.
Alliance leaders, however, argue that grassroots engagement and voter enthusiasm observed during rallies and local campaigns are more reliable indicators than polling data.
Jamaat leaders say that if they secure a strong mandate, their priorities will include institutional reform, strengthening the rule of law, curbing corruption, and ensuring what they describe as a more accountable and inclusive governance structure.
As voting gets underway, the Jamaat–NCP alliance maintains that today’s ballot is not merely about seat counts but about shaping Bangladesh’s political trajectory in the post-uprising era.
Whether that expectation translates into electoral gains will become clear as results begin to emerge.
