Several important registered Islamist political parties are not joining the race for the twelfth national election to be held on 7 January 2024.
Most of these parties known in the political arena have not yet announced their participation in the elections.
These are four Qawmi-madrasa based parties—Islami Andolon Bangladesh, Bangladesh Khelfat Majlish, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam and Khelafat Majlish.
Apart from these parties, the Islamist party that has political power is Jamaat-e-Islam. The party is not yet registered with the Election Commission.
These five political parties are considered important among Islamic parties. These parties have a definite support base in the country.
On the other hand, the Islamist parties that have so far announced their entry into the electoral fray do not have much support on the ground. In the past some candidates from these parties were elected MLAs.
Of the 44 political parties registered with the Election Commission, 11 are Islamist. Of these, seven parties have announced their participation in the next general elections.
These are: Bangladesh Khilafat Movement, Islami Oikya Jote, Islamic Front Bangladesh, Islamic Front, Bangladesh Tarikat Federation, Zakhar Party and Bangladesh Supreme Party. Of these, only the Tariqat Federation had representation in the last two parliaments.
Of the two Qaumi Madrasa-based parties going to the polls, the Bangladesh Khilafat Movement was founded by Maulana Mohammad Ullah Hafezi Huzoor. His son Ataullah Hafezi is now the Ameer (head) of this party. Another party, Islami Oikya Jote, was founded by late Mufti Fazlul Haq Amini, son-in-law of Hafezi Huzoor. Amini’s son Abul Hasnat Amini is now the president of this party. Top leaders of both the parties met the Prime Minister at his Gana Bhavan office on Thursday night.