Islami Andolan Bangladesh to Contest Election Independently in 268 Seats

Islami Andolan Bangladesh has announced that it will contest the upcoming national parliamentary election independently in 268 constituencies, ruling out any seat-sharing arrangement with other opposition parties.

The decision was announced on Friday at a press conference at the party’s central office in Old Paltan, Dhaka. Speaking to journalists, the party’s Senior Joint Secretary General, Gazi Ataur Rahman, outlined the group’s electoral strategy ahead of the next general election.

Ataur Rahman said the party had initially fielded candidates in 270 constituencies for the 13^th National Parliament election. However, the nominations of two candidates were later cancelled, leaving 268 confirmed contenders. He said the party would not participate in the 11-party opposition alliance, which includes Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party (NCP).

“Our position is clear. We are going to the election independently,” Ataur Rahman said. He added that political cooperation must be based on mutual respect and trust, which he said was currently lacking.

He criticised recent statements by Jamaat-e-Islami leaders, indicating that a national government could be formed with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) if they win the election. According to Ataur Rahman, such unilateral declarations undermine the idea of collective political unity.

Ataur Rahman also expressed concern over whether the upcoming election would be free, fair and credible, echoing wider opposition fears about transparency in the electoral process. He expressed growing doubts within his party about undisclosed political arrangements taking place behind the scenes.

“It is important that these issues are made public,” he said, adding that while various reports and information were reaching the party, the nature of coordination with foreign states remained unclear.

Outlining election preparations, Ataur Rahman said Islami Andolan Bangladesh currently has candidates in 268 of the country’s 300 constituencies. The remaining 32 seats are still undecided, and the party will determine whom to support after the nomination withdrawal deadline, based on ideological compatibility and candidate merit.

“We will support those candidates whose principles and objectives align with our values,” he said.

The party expressed confidence that voters across all 300 constituencies would support candidates associated with Islamic values and leadership.

The announcement comes a day after the 11-party opposition alliance revealed its seat-sharing plan for 253 constituencies. Under that arrangement, Jamaat-e-Islami is set to contest 179 seats, while the National Citizen Party and several smaller Islamist and right-leaning groups will compete in the remaining constituencies. Islami Andolan Bangladesh was not included in the agreement.

We expect Bangladesh's next general election to take place amid heightened political tension, as opposition parties continue to question electoral fairness and democratic accountability.