13th National Parliament Elections: Jhalkathi District

In Jhalkathi district, the voting base has historically been nearly evenly split among the Awami League, BNP, and Jatiya Party, as reflected in the results of most national elections held in the country, except the last three. However, in the upcoming 13th National Parliament elections, the absence of the Awami League has changed the electoral dynamics in the district. This time, the contest is expected mainly among BNP, Jatiya Party, and Jamaat-e-Islami. Below is an overview of the two parliamentary constituencies in Jhalkathi district.

Jhalkathi-1 (Parliamentary Constituency No. 125): Jhalkathi-1 constituency comprises Rajapur Upazila and Kathalia Upazila.

Candidates:  A total of ten candidates are contesting in the upcoming election. They are Sabbir Ahmed (independent – rooster), M Moin Alam Firozi (independent – duck), Rafiqul Islam Jamal of BNP (sheaf of paddy), Md Jasim Uddin Talukdar of Jontor Dal (pen), Md Kamruzzaman Khan of Jatiya Party (plough), Md Rubel Hawladar of Jatiya Party (bicycle), Faizul Haq of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami (scales), Ibrahim of Islami Andolan Bangladesh (hand fan), Md Sohrab Hossain of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) (star), and Md Shahadat Hossain of Gono Odhikar Parishad (GOP) (truck).

Elected MPs: In 1991, Shahjahan Omar of BNP was elected. In 1996, Anwar Hossain Manju of Jatiya Party (Ershad) won the seat. In 2001, Shahjahan Omar of BNP was elected again, and in 2008, Bazlul Haq Harun of the Awami League became the Member of Parliament.

Jhalkathi-2 (Parliamentary Constituency No. 126): Jhalkathi-2 constituency comprises Jhalkathi Sadar Upazila and Nalchiti Upazila.

Candidates: Eight candidates are contesting this seat. They are Syed Razzak Ali (independent – motorcycle), Israt Sultana Ellen Bhutto of BNP (sheaf of paddy), Md Mahmudul Islam Sagar of Gono Odhikar Parishad (truck), Muhammad Sirajul Islam Siraji of Islami Andolan Bangladesh (hand fan), S M Neyamul Karim of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami (scales), Md Nuruddin Sardar (independent – pitcher), Forkan Hossain of National Peoples Party (NPP) (mango), and Masud Parvez of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) (star).

Elected MPs: In 1991, Gazi Aziz Ferdous of BNP was elected. In 1996, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto of Jatiya Party (Ershad) won. In the 2000 by-election, Amir Hossain Amu of the Awami League was elected. In 2001, Israt Sultana Ellen Bhutto of BNP became the MP, and in 2008, Amir Hossain Amu of the Awami League won the seat.