13th National Parliamentary Election: Cox’s Bazar District

In national parliamentary elections, Cox’s Bazar district has traditionally seen strong competition among the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jamaat-e-Islami, Awami League, and other parties. Past election results show that while BNP has performed comparatively well in this district, the Awami League has also contested strongly in all seats. However, with the Awami League absent from the electoral race this time, the voting dynamics in the district have changed significantly. Let us take a closer look at the electoral situation in the four constituencies of Cox’s Bazar district.

Cox’s Bazar-1 (Parliamentary Constituency No. 294): Cox’s Bazar-1 constituency is comprised of Chakaria and Pekua upazilas of the district. The total number of voters in this constituency is 533,089, of whom 284,469 are male voters and 248,620 are female voters.

Candidates: A total of five candidates have submitted nomination papers to contest in this constituency in the 13th National Parliamentary Election. They are: Salahuddin Ahmed from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) with the Sheaf of Paddy symbol; Abdullah Al Faruq from Jamaat-e-Islami with the Scales symbol; Sarwar Alam Qutubi from Islami Andolon Bangladesh with the Hand Fan symbol; Abdul Qader from Gono Odhikar Parishad with the Truck symbol; and independent candidate Saiful Islam with the Football symbol.

Elected MPs: In Cox’s Bazar-1 constituency, Mohammad Alamgir of BNP was elected in 1991 and 1996. Salahuddin Ahmed of BNP won the seat in 2001, while Mohammad Alamgir of BNP was elected again in 2008.

Cox’s Bazar-2 (Parliamentary Constituency No. 295): Cox’s Bazar-2 constituency consists of Maheshkhali and Kutubdia upazilas of the district. The total number of voters in this constituency is 383,657, including 202,865 male voters and 179,414 female voters.

Candidates: Seven candidates are contesting in this constituency in the 13th National Parliamentary Election. They are: Alamgir Muhammad Mahfuz Ullah Farid from BNP with the Sheaf of Paddy symbol; Ziaul Haque from Islami Andolon Bangladesh with the Hand Fan symbol; AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad from Jamaat-e-Islami with the Scales symbol; Muhammad Mahmudul Karim from Jatiyo Party with the Plough symbol; SM Rukunuzzaman from Gono Odhikar Parishad with the Truck symbol; Gholam Mawla as an independent candidate with the Chair symbol; and Obaidul Qader Nadvhi from Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish with the Lion symbol.

Elected MPs: In Cox’s Bazar-2 constituency, Abul Kalam Azad of BNP was elected in 1991. Salahuddin Ahmed of BNP won the seat in 1996, while Alamgir Muhammad Mahfuz Ullah Farid of BNP was elected in both 2001 and 2008.

Cox’s Bazar-3 (Parliamentary Constituency No. 296): Cox’s Bazar-3 constituency is formed by Cox’s Bazar Sadar, Ramu, and Eidgaon upazilas. The total number of voters in this constituency is 535,138, including 287,484 male voters, 250,654 female voters, and one hijra voter.

Candidates: Five candidates are contesting in Cox’s Bazar-3 constituency in the 13th National Parliamentary Election. They are: Lutfur Rahman Kajol from BNP with the Sheaf of Paddy symbol; Shahidul Alam (Bahadur) from Jamaat-e-Islami with the Scales symbol; Amirul Islam from Islami Andolon Bangladesh with the Hand Fan symbol; Jagadish Barua from Bangladesh Labour Party with the Wristwatch symbol; and Nurul Absar from Am Janata Party with the Mango symbol.

Elected MPs: In Cox’s Bazar-3 constituency, Mohammad Alamgir of BNP was elected in 1991 and 1996. Lutfur Rahman Kajol of BNP won the seat in both 2001 and 2008.

Cox’s Bazar-4 (Parliamentary Constituency No. 297): Cox’s Bazar-4 constituency consists of Ukhia and Teknaf upazilas of the district. The total number of voters in this constituency is 371,879, of whom 191,210 are male voters, 181,915 are female voters, and five are hijra voters.

Candidates: Five candidates are contesting in Cox’s Bazar-4 constituency in the 13th National Parliamentary Election. They are: Shahjahan Chowdhury from BNP with the Sheaf of Paddy symbol; Nurul Haque from Islami Andolon Bangladesh with the Hand Fan symbol; Saifuddin Khaled from the National Democratic Movement (NDM) with the Lion symbol; Nur Ahmed Anowari from Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami with the Scales symbol; and Abdullah Al Arafat from the Liberal Democratic Party with the Kettle symbol.

Elected MPs: In Cox’s Bazar-4 constituency, Shahidul Islam of BNP was elected in 1991. Shahjahan Chowdhury of BNP won the seat in 1996 and 2001, and was again elected in 2008.