Joypurhat-1 heats up as election campaign intensifies ahead of polls

With the 13th National Election scheduled for 12 February, electioneering in the Joypurhat-1 constituency has gathered pace as five candidates intensify their campaigns, creating a festive atmosphere among voters.

District Election Officer Mahmudul Hasan said that following the withdrawal of nomination papers on 20 January, five candidates remain in the race. They are Masud Rana Pradhan of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Md Fazlur Rahman Sayeed of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Md Wazed Parvez of the Bangladesh Socialist Party, Taufiqa Dewan of the Bangladesh Socialist Party (Marxist), and independent candidate Sabequn Nahar.

Political observers opined that the main contest will be among the BNP, Jamaat, and the independent female candidate.

The Joypurhat-1 constituency, located in the northern part of the country, comprises 19 unions and two municipalities under Panchbibi and Joypurhat Sadar upazilas.

According to the Election Commission’s latest voter list updated in October 2025, the constituency has a total of 460,938 voters, including 229,100 men, 231,920 women and eight voters of third gender.

BNP candidate Masud Rana Pradhan, Senior Joint Convener of the district BNP, has been campaigning actively across the constituency, highlighting the BNP’s 31-point reform agenda alongside various local development pledges to win voter support.

Jamaat candidate Md Fazlur Rahman Sayeed, also the district Jamaat Ameer, is campaigning with party leaders and activists, promising development in line with the party’s policies.

Independent candidate Bequn Nahar, a young female aspirant, is also contesting the seat, backed by significant financial resources and the influence of her husband. She previously contested two elections during the Awami League government. She was defeated in the Panchbibi Municipality mayoral race by an Awami League candidate but later won the Upazila Parishad chairman election, defeating another Awami League nominee. However, her chairmanship was annulled after 5 August.

A large number of locals claimed the BNP candidate has a strong chance of victory if internal party unity is maintained and votes from Awami League supporters can be attracted.

Many others, however, said the Jamaat candidate could spring a surprise due to religious sentiment, strong party discipline, and dynamic campaign strategies.

Meanwhile, analysts from different professional backgrounds note that Bequn Nahar could emerge as a strong contender if she succeeds in attracting a large share of floating voters.