Zakir Hossain, Dhaka
BNP on Monday finalized its candidates for 237 parliamentary seats, with Chairperson Khaleda Zia set to contest from Bogura-7, Dinajpur-3, and Feni-1, and Tarique Rahman from Bogura-6. Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will run from Thakurgaon-1. The remaining seats will be finalized after discussions with alliance partners.
Meanwhile BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has voiced concern over whether Bangladesh’s forthcoming national election will be held on time, citing rising uncertainty among the public. Speaking virtually from London on Sunday, Tarique warned that “conflict, propaganda, and conspiracies are already being orchestrated to prevent the BNP’s victory.” He urged supporters to remain vigilant and ensure “the current situation does not lead to unconditional surrender to any evil force.”
Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin said the nation was at a “critical juncture,” urging political cooperation for a free and fair election. He noted that this would be the first election where prisoners and expatriates can vote online, and warned against the spread of misinformation and misuse of AI. Major General Abdul Motaleb Sajjad Mahmud, DG of Ansar-VDP, said five lakh members would be deployed for poll duties, supported by 1.45 lakh newly trained recruits for security and voter awareness.
Home and Agriculture Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury expressed optimism that the polls would be held “peacefully and smoothly,” citing a “highly satisfactory law and order situation.”