Details of 16 constituencies
Chattogram has 16 parliamentary constituencies, consisting of 15 upazilas and 34 police station areas. A total of 115 candidates from 25 parties are contesting on these seats. Among them, Jamaat has withdrawn its name from three constituencies in favor of two allies.
The strongest position among the candidates of Jamaat is that of former MP Shahjahan Chaudhary in Chattogram-15 (Satkania-Lohagra). Additionally, Jamaat has fielded candidates in two urban constituencies, Chattogram-10 and Chattogram-11.
Additionally, in Chattogram-1 (Mirrasarai), BNP candidate Nurul Amin is contesting against Jamaat’s Saifur Rahman; In Chattogram-2 (Phatikachhari), BNP’s Sarwar Alomgir is facing Jamaat’s Nurul Amin; And in Chattogram-7 (Rangunia), BNP’s Humam Kader Choudhary contests against Jamaat’s ATM Rezaul Karim.
“BNP is a centrist democratic party. We are talking about our programme. Meanwhile, a secret group is spreading misinformation against us. They are running a campaign using ID cards, BKash numbers and ‘Behesht’ stamps,” BNP standing committee member Ameer Khasru Mahmood Chowdhury told Prothom Alo.
On the other hand, Jamaat’s organizational secretary in Chattogram city and Chattogram-10 candidate Muhammad Shamsuzzaman Helali told Prothom Alo, “They [BNP] 50 loan defaulters have been named. None of our candidates has committed such misconduct. Having no other option, they are spreading stories like we are selling ‘heaven tickets’.
Discussions with local journalists, political activists and residents reveal that in the two Chattogram constituencies, the BNP has three rebel candidates. Rival candidates may benefit from his presence.
One of these constituencies is Chattogram-16 (Banshkhali) and the other is Chattogram-14 (Chandanesh). BNP’s Jasimuddin’s main rival in Chandnaish is Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) president Oli Ahmed (symbol: umbrella)’s son Omar Farooq, who is in a strong position with the support of the Jamaat. Sunni alliance candidate Suleman Farooqui is also in discussion on this seat.
In Chattogram-16 (Banshakhali), a triangular contest seems to be brewing between BNP’s Mishkatul Islam Choudhary, Jamaat’s Muhammad Zahidul Islam and BNP’s rebel candidate Liaqat Ali (symbol: Football).
Meanwhile, local talks indicate that BNP candidates are strong in the following constituencies: Chattogram-3 (Sandwip) – Mustafa Kamal Pasha; Chattogram-4 (Sitakund) – Aslam Chaudhary; Chattogram-5 (Hathazari) – Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin; Chattogram-6 (Raujan) – Ghiyas Uddin; Chattogram-12 (Potiya)- Enamul Haq; and Chattogram-13 (Anwara-Karnphuli) – Sarwar Jamal Nizam.
The Greater Sunni Alliance has fielded candidates in 14 constituencies in Chattogram. Throughout Chattogram, Qaumi (madrasa-based) and Sunni communities have local influence. They generally do not take the side of the Jamaat. Although their numbers are not large, their votes can play an important role in some cases.
Overall, compared to neighboring Cox’s Bazar district, where election enthusiasm was high, Chattogram shows much less intensity in half the constituencies. Local people say that unless the competition is very close, the excitement does not spread much.
Bakhtiyar Uddin, associate professor of political science at Chattogram University, told Prothom Alo, “Even though the Awami League is not contesting the elections, people are interested because the BNP is participating.
Chattogram has traditionally been a BNP dominated area and the party seems to have the upper hand here. Although Jamaat is organizationally well structured, due to various reasons it cannot fully influence the general public.