Business leaders make strong showing in election, win 18 seats

A total of 18 prominent business figures from the apparel, textile and real estate sectors have been elected to Parliament in Bangladesh’s 13th national election.
This highlights the growing presence of private-sector leaders in national politics and economic policymaking.
Among the winners are former leaders of key trade bodies, including the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA), Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB).
Notable victors include former FBCCI president and BTMA director Abdul Awal Mintoo, who won from Feni-3. He is also chairman of National Bank.
BTMA Vice-President and Managing Director of Chaity Group, Md Abul Kalam, secured Cumilla-9, while BTMA Director and Chairman of Monno Fabrics Ltd, Afroza Khanom Rita, won Manikganj-3.
Former BTMA vice-president SM Faysal won Habiganj-4, and BTMA member Manzur Elahi was elected from Narsingdi-3. BGMEA member Zakaria Taher Sumon secured Cumilla-8 in the 13th parliamentary polls.
BNP Economic Affairs Secretary Engr Khaled Hossain Mahbub Shyamal won Brahmanbaria-3, while Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah secured Munshiganj-1. 
Former BGMEA first vice-president Ershad Ullah won Chattogram-8, and Shama Obaid Islam, associated with the Sparrow Group family, was elected from Faridpur-2.
However, BGMEA President and Managing Director of Rising Fashions Ltd Mahmud Hasan Khan (Babu), who contested from Chuadanga-2 as a BNP candidate, was defeated by a local Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami leader. 
Former BGMEA president Redwan Ahmed also lost in Cumilla-7 to an independent candidate.
Real estate sector representation
Nine real estate entrepreneurs won seats in this election, six of whom are members of REHAB.
BNP candidate Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain was elected from Cumilla-1. Sheikh Rabiul Alam won Dhaka-10, Mostafizur Rahman Bhuiyan Dipu secured Narayanganj-1, Manzur Elahi won Narsingdi-3, Mahbub Uddin Khokon was elected from Noakhali-1, Md Fakhrul Islam from Noakhali-5, Kazi Rafiqul Islam from Bogura-1, Rafiqul Islam Hilali from Netrakona-3, and Mujibur Rahman Sarwar from Barishal-5.
Over 44% candidates were businesspeople
For the 300 parliamentary seats, a total of 3,406 nomination forms were collected, of which 2,568 were submitted. Among them, 2,090 nominations came from candidates representing 51 registered political parties – including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, and the National Citizens Party (NCP) – while 478 were filed by independent candidates.
After scrutiny, returning officers declared 1,842 nomination papers valid in January. An analysis of candidates’ affidavits shows that 814 of the valid candidates, roughly 44%, identified themselves as businesspeople.
In total, 2,028 candidates from 50 parties contested the election across 299 constituencies. The voter base stood at 12.77 crore.
According to the results, the BNP-led alliance won 212 constituencies, the Jamaat alliance secured 77 seats, and other parties and independents won seven seats.