As the 13th National Parliamentary Election approaches, prospective candidates have begun their race. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has initiated the process of selecting party candidates for all 300 constituencies.
Of the 300 constituencies, candidates for around 100 constituencies have been mostly finalized. For the remaining 200 constituencies, more than 1,500 individuals are seeking nominations. This data has emerged from BNP’s internal surveys, as confirmed by several sources within the party to Bangladesh Pratidin.
Following instructions from the party high command, preference will be given to dedicated party members and those with clean images when choosing candidates. Young leaders will be prioritized in 100 constituencies.
The BNP usually keeps at least three potential candidates per constituency. Now, through additions and eliminations, further scrutiny is underway. Once the election schedule is declared, the final list of candidates for all 300 constituencies will be confirmed by choosing the most preferred individuals from the prospective candidates.
If an understanding is reached with like-minded parties, BNP will allocate some constituencies to its allies. Otherwise, the party will contest all seats independently.
In response, BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury stated that the party’s potential candidates are preparing to contest from all constituencies nationwide. BNP is fully prepared for the upcoming general election, and everyone is intensifying preparations from their respective positions.
He added that in the past three natinal elections, people could not vote freely, which has created heightened interest in the upcoming national election among voters. This time, BNP will nominate dedicated, popular, and more widely acceptable candidates. Therefore, thorough vetting will be conducted to select universally acceptable nominees.
BNP last participated in the 2018 general election, during which party Chairperson Khaleda Zia was in prison. The party boycotted the 2024 election. In 2018, around 2,500 individuals sought BNP nominations. Currently, in many areas, three to five candidates are vying for a single seat. Due to BNP’s more favorable situation this time, the number of nomination seekers has increased significantly.
Insiders report that in a meeting in London with Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the chief adviser to the interim government, BNP's Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman reached a consensus regarding holding the 13th national election in the second week of February 2026. Following this announcement, BNP’s potential candidates across all 300 constituencies have ramped up their campaign efforts. Alongside public outreach in their areas, they have also begun lobbying to gain favor with the BNP high command in hopes of securing nominations.
In addition conducting on-the-ground inquiries in the area, documentation is also being processed regarding this issue. Tarique Rahman is staying updated on the potential candidates in each constituency through various channels from London, and he is speaking directly with many of them—especially those who contested or sought nominations in 2018. He is giving direct instructions to several of them regarding work in specific constituencies. The nomination seekers are treating these interactions as green signals from the high command and are publicizing them in their constituencies.
BNP’s senior leaders will prepare a draft list of prospective candidates for the 13th national parliamentary election in the coming months and submit it to Tarique Rahman. He will further investigate the backgrounds of those on the list. Following the announcement of the election schedule, every candidate who collects nomination forms will be interviewed. The final list of nominees will be approved by the party’s highest policy-making forum, with input from Chairperson Khaleda Zia taken into consideration.
The BNP high command has laid down several conditions for nominating candidates in each constituency. Among these are giving priority to those who were actively involved in protests and movements over the past 15 years. Candidates must be well-educated and have clean public images. Individuals with allegations of terrorism, corruption, or extortion will not be nominated.
Meanwhile, the BNP high command is also gathering information on potential candidates for the reserved women's seats across the country. Female leaders who have been active in political movements and have strong public support will be considered for these seats. Overall, BNP has indicated it will prioritize nominating the most widely acceptable candidates.
A key partner in BNP’s movement, Jatiyatabadi Samamona Jote coordinator and NPP (National People's Party) Chairman Dr.Fariduzzaman Farhad, said:
“We have always stood with BNP in the streets against the fascist government. BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir have repeatedly assured us that alliance partners will be duly honored. We hope that BNP will allocate a respectable number of seats to its allies.”
(Translated by Afia Nanjiba Ibnat)
