Ahead of the upcoming national election, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has fielded former members of parliament and seasoned leaders, while Jamaat-e-Islami introduced new faces in three out of four constituencies in Cox’s Bazar.

BNP’s announcement was made on 3 November, although the party has yet to announce its candidate for the Cox’s Bazar-2 (Moheshkhali–Kutubdia) constituency.

BNP’s experienced lineup

In Cox’s Bazar-1 (Chakaria–Pekua), BNP has nominated Standing Committee member and former State Minister for Communications Salahuddin Ahmed, a three-time MP. His wife, Hasina Ahmed, was also elected once from this seat. Historically, BNP has won the seat four times—Salahuddin in 1996 (February and June) and 2001, and Hasina Ahmed in 2008.

For Cox’s Bazar-3 (Sadar–Ramu–Eidgaon), BNP’s candidate is Lutfur Rahman Kajal, the party’s Central Fisheries Affairs Secretary and a former MP. Kajal won the 2008 election by a large margin against both the Awami League and a BNP rebel candidate.

In Cox’s Bazar-4 (Ukhia–Teknaf), former Whip and district BNP President Shahjahan Chowdhury has been nominated. A veteran politician, he served as a member of parliament three times, including in the February 1986, 1991, and 1996 elections.

Jamaat’s new faces enter the race

In contrast, Jamaat-e-Islami has fielded new candidates for these three constituencies.

In Cox’s Bazar-1, Abdullah Al Faruk, former Shibir leader and current Ameer of Cox’s Bazar City Jamaat, is contesting his first parliamentary election against BNP heavyweight Salahuddin Ahmed.

In Cox’s Bazar-3, Shahidul Islam Bahadur, former Vice Chairman of Sadar Upazila Parishad and ex-VP of Cox’s Bazar Government College, is running as Jamaat’s new face against BNP’s Kajal.

In Cox’s Bazar-4, Nur Ahmed Anwari, district Jamaat Ameer and four-time elected chairman of Whykong union in Teknaf, is making his debut as an MP candidate, facing BNP’s seasoned Shahjahan Chowdhury.

Cox’s Bazar-2, BNP yet to decide

BNP has not yet declared its candidate for Cox’s Bazar-2 (Moheshkhali–Kutubdia).

Jamaat, however, has already nominated AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad, the party’s Central Assistant Secretary General and a former MP, for this seat. Azad won from Cox’s Bazar-2 in the 2008 election, while BNP’s Alamgir Mohammad Mahfuzullah Farid secured victories in 1996 and 2001.