The main contest in this year’s national parliamentary elections is between Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami. However, in constituencies where Bangladesh Awami League (AL) candidates have historically won the most competitive elections, the electoral mathematics is changing. There are about 30 such constituencies across the country.
Now with Awami League activities banned and the party absent from the elections, the support of Awami League-inclined voters has become crucial for the BNP, the Jamaat-led 11-party electoral alliance and independent candidates.
As a result, rival candidates are adopting a variety of strategies to attract these voters.
According to information sent by Prothom Alo correspondents from various districts, candidates in Madaripur, Shariatpur, Faridpur, Gopalganj, Bagerhat, Thakurgaon, Jamalpur and Mymensingh are making various efforts to attract Awami League votes.
These included contacting former Awami League leaders, visiting graves and assuring protection from security risks and legal cases, strategies that have become central to campaign discussions.
Following the fall of the Awami League government amid a student uprising on 5 August 2024, many party leaders and workers have gone into hiding, while others are in jail. In many areas, assurances are being heard that the people in hiding will be able to return safely.