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Patuakhali-3 faces tight race in absence of ‘sheaf of paddy’, ‘boat’
Nur confident of victory as BNP supporters rally behind rebel candidate
Abdul Kaium, Patuakhali, and Rashidul Hasan, Dhaka
Published: 07 Feb 2026, 12:00 AM
The electoral contest in Patuakhali-3, comprising Galachipa and Dashmina upazilas, has gathered momentum in the absence of the two major symbols – the boat and the sheaf of paddy – with no clear frontrunner ahead of the 12 February election.
BNP left the seat open for Nurul Haque Nur in line with its alliance with the Gono Odhikar Parishad, a move that eventually prompted the party’s central committee member Hasan Mamun to announce his candidacy as an independent contender.
The political arrangement has created internal divisions among local BNP leaders in the constituency, leading to the expel of Mamun and the formation of new upazila and municipal committees in Galachipa and Dashmina comprising leaders loyal to Nur.
On the ballot paper, Nur is contesting with the “truck” symbol, while Mamun is running under the “horse” symbol.
Additionally, the presence of two strong candidates – Muhammad Shah Alam of Jamaat-e-Islami and Muhammad Abu Bakr Siddiqui of Islami Andolon Bangladesh – has further tightened the race, as the much-hyped ‘one-box Islamic vote’ has failed to materialise following the breakdown of the alliance between the two parties.
Another independent candidate, SM Fazlul Haque, is also in the race.
With a voter base of 375,871, the constituency has historically been a stronghold of the now activities-banned Awami League, while BNP emerged as the second-largest contender in previous elections.
Since 1991, BNP has won the seat only once – in the controversial 15 February 1996 election – while Awami League secured victories in all other elections, including the disputed polls of 2014, 2018 and 2024.
Statistics suggest that the votes of Awami League supporters, BNP loyalists and minority communities will play a decisive role, prompting candidates to intensify efforts to secure their backing.
Since the submission of nomination papers, Patuakhali-3 has witnessed clashes between BNP supporters backing Nur and Mamun, while Jamaat and Islami Andolon candidates have been visiting door to door to capitalise on the conflict.
Imran Hossain, a voter from Amkhola union in Galachipa upazila, said, “It is not true that Nur has a strong support base, but influential BNP leaders such as Abus Sattar and Siddiqur Rahman are working in his favour. As a result, although many people publicly appear to support Hasan Mamun, a section of ordinary voters may still vote for the truck symbol.”
He added, “Because of the intense contest between the ‘truck’ and ‘horse’ symbols – both associated with BNP – Jamaat’s scale and Islami Andolon’s hand-fan symbols may gain some advantage.”
However, he noted that all four candidates have their own support bases, meaning the margin between them may not be wide.
Speaking to Daily Sun, Nur said, “I am 100 per cent confident of victory. People want development, peace and solutions to unemployment. I am working to address these issues.”
He added, “I want to stop extortion so that businesspeople can operate safely. I will ensure proper allocation of khas land among landless farmers. Some people are opposing me because I have spoken out against extortionists and land grabbers, but ordinary people understand this and will vote for the truck.”
When contacted, Jamaat candidate Muhammad Shah Alam expressed confidence in receiving votes from minority communities, as well as Awami League and BNP supporters.
He said, “The lives and property of Hindus in this area are safe only under Jamaat-e-Islami. There is no BNP candidate in this constituency. Moreover, after the fall of the Awami League leadership, we did not harass any of its supporters.
We were not involved in extortion or land grabbing. Because of our clean record, voters will prefer Jamaat over other parties.”
He added, “If elected, I will take all necessary steps to ensure the safety of minority communities and protect their property, honour and dignity.”
Meanwhile, Islami Andolon Bangladesh candidate Mufti Abu Bakar Siddiqui said: “We are 100 per cent confident of victory in Galachipa-Dashmina. Organisationally, we are in a strong position. Due to internal conflicts within the BNP, we expect to receive votes for the hand-fan symbol.”
He added, “There are many Hindu voters in this constituency, and we will secure their support because we stood by them after 5 August. As a result, we have built a strong relationship with them.”
Addressing a programme in Alipura union of Dashmina upazila, independent candidate Hasan Mamun said: “If working for BNP for 37 years, including 17 years on the ground, makes one a BNP leader, then I deserve your vote for the ‘horse’ symbol.”
He added, “Nur had previously described the BNP chairman as ‘fascist’. After 5 August, many BNP leaders and activists in the area were injured by members of the Gono Odhikar Parishad. After criticising BNP and attacking its activists, Nur has now adopted a sympathetic stance towards the party.”