13th National Parliament Elections: Munshiganj District

Munshiganj is considered a stronghold of the BNP within the Dhaka division. However, in previous elections, the Awami League has also shown significant competition across the district. With the Awami League absent in the 13th National Parliament elections, voters in this district near the capital are reassessing their choices. Below is an overview of the electoral contests across Munshiganj’s three parliamentary constituencies.

Munshiganj-1 (Parliamentary Constituency No. 171): Munshiganj-1 covers Srinagar and Sirajdikhan upazilas and has a total of 545,519 voters, including 280,716 men, 264,802 women, and one transgender voter.

Candidates: Six candidates are contesting: Mohammad Momin Ali (independent – football), Abdur Rahman of Bangladesh Communist Party (hammer), Md Atikur Rahman Khan of Islami Andolan Bangladesh (hand fan), Rokeya Akter of Insaniyat Biplob Bangladesh (apple), Mohammad Abdullah of BNP (sheaf of paddy), and AKM Fakhruddin Razi of Jamaat-e-Islami (scales).

Former MPs: A Q M Badruddoza Chowdhury of BNP won in 1991, 1996, and 2001. His son, Mahi B Chowdhury, was elected in by-elections in 2002 (BNP) and 2004 (Bikalpdharma Bangladesh). Sukumar Ranjan Ghosh of the Awami League won in 2008.

Munshiganj-2 (Parliamentary Constituency No. 172): Munshiganj-2 includes Louhajong and Tongibari upazilas. It also covers Hatipara, Bhararia, and Putail unions of Manikganj Sadar upazila. The constituency has 378,492 voters: 194,720 men and 183,772 women.

Candidates: Five candidates are contesting: Majedul Islam of National Citizens Party–NCP (shapla), Ashik Mahmud of Islamic Front Bangladesh (chair), Abdus Salam Azad of BNP (sheaf of paddy), K M Billal of Islami Andolan Bangladesh (hand fan), and Md Noman Mia of Jatiya Party (plough).

Former MPs: Elected MPs include M Hamidullah Khan (BNP) in 1991, Mizanur Rahman Sinha (BNP) in 1996 and 2001, Shamsuddoha Ahmed (independent) in the 2001 by-election, and Sagufa Yasmin Emily (Awami League) in 2008.

Munshiganj-3 (Parliamentary Constituency No. 173): Munshiganj-3 covers Gazaria and Munshiganj Sadar upazilas, with a total of 509,467 voters: 263,075 men, 246,390 women, and two transgender voters.

Candidates: Eight candidates are contesting: Sheikh Md Kamal Hossain of Bangladesh Communist Party (hammer), Sheikh Md Shimul of Bangladesh Revolutionary Workers Party (spade), Md Arifuzzaman (Didar) of Jatiya Party (plough), Md Kamruzzaman of BNP (sheaf of paddy), Suman Dewan of Islami Andolan Bangladesh (hand fan), Anis Molla of Bangladesh Labour Party (pineapple), Noor Hossain Noorani of Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis (rickshaw), and Md Mohiuddin (independent – football).

Former MPs: M Shamsul Islam of BNP won in 1991, 1996, and 2001. Md Idris Ali of Awami League won the seat in 2008.