The political allies of the ruling Awami League (AL) are likely to delay their decision on contesting seats in the upcoming 12th general election until the last date of nomination withdrawal on 17 December.

Initially, the AL had announced its intention to participate in the election jointly with its partners, especially within the 14-party alliance. However, there is now a degree of reluctance within the ruling party to finalise seat-sharing arrangements with its partners.

The AL declared candidates for 298 constituencies on 26 November, leaving two seats – Kushtia-2 and Narayanganj-5 – vacant, and dropping 72 current parliament members.

The uncertainty surrounding seat sharing has left the partners of AL in a state of limbo as they are confused regarding the election alliance in the upcoming polls, according to sources within the parties.

Meanwhile, leaders of the 14-party alliance are going to sit with the Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, also leader of the alliance, at Ganabhaban today at 6:00pm. After the meeting, the AL president will sit in bilateral meetings with the parties separately.

In this regard, JSD President Hasanul Haq Inu on Sunday told the Daily Sun, “A decision may or may not be made in tomorrow’s meeting.”

Sources suggest that the Awami League is likely to allocate around 30-35 seats to its alliance partners, including Jatiya Party, Trinamool BNP, Bangladesh Nationalist Movement (BNM), and others.

Additionally, the AL may share 5 seats with specific partners in the 14-party alliance, such as Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), Bangladesh Tariqat Federation, Jatiya Party (Manju), and Workers Party of Bangladesh. The remaining 25-30 seats are expected to be left for Jatiya Party, Trinamool BNP, Bangladesh Nationalist Movement (BNM), and others to contest alongside AL-nominated candidates and independents.

AL Presidium Member AHM Khairuzzaman Liton told the Daily Sun that the settlement of seat sharing would occur in phases, with a clear resolution expected by 17 December.

Regarding the anticipated decrease in the number of seats allocated to other partners of the 14-party alliance, Liton stated, “This time, the number of seats of other partners of the 14-party alliance will decrease slightly.”

Unlike in the previous three national elections, potential candidates of the 14-party alliance this time around have submitted their nomination papers before a settlement was reached on seat sharing. Alongside party candidates of the AL, there are also independent candidates and candidates from other parties vying for seats in the alliance.

The allies also informed the EC that they will participate in the election under 14 party alliance and fight with “Boat” – the electoral symbol of the AL.

But, the AL’s reluctance to compromise on seat-sharing arrangements prompted many partners to submit their nomination papers on the last day of nomination filing, 30 November. In the current Parliament, the 14-party alliance partners hold eight seats, with AL withholding party nominations only in Kushtia-2, represented by Hasanul Haq Inu.

Rashed Khan Menon, a key alliance leader and president of the Workers Party, opted not to submit nomination papers for Dhaka-8 due to a lack of assurance from the AL, choosing instead to contest from Barishal-2 and Barishal-3 constituencies.

Senior Awami League leaders believe that clarity on seat sharing among alliance partners will emerge after the last date of nomination withdrawal.

Meanwhile, insiders in the ruling party told the Daily Sun that this time, AL’s partners may receive fewer seats compared to previous terms. However, the ruling party is expected to leave seats for its partners, prohibiting party independents alongside party-nominated candidates in partner-designated seats.

The AL will ask its party nominees and the independents to withdraw nominations in the seats that the party will likely share with its partners, said party insiders.

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader recently said that some seats would be released to the allies if a compromise is reached.

Regarding alliance formation and seat sharing, he said, “In the first place we will see who the candidates are. We still have time. The last day for withdrawal of nomination papers is 17 December. In the meantime, we will observe, monitor, adjust, and accommodate.”