BNP leads in ground campaigns, Jamaat dominates online outreach

As the 13th National Parliamentary Election approaches, campaign activities by all participating political parties have reached a peak. Various parties have already intensified their field-level campaigns and organizational activities across the country.

Based on information received from our correspondents, it appears that since the announcement of the election schedule until February 5, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has taken a clear lead in nationwide ground-level campaigning. Senior leaders and central figures of the party are simultaneously holding large rallies and public meetings in different regions, while local leaders are organizing street meetings, internal party gatherings, and door-to-door voter outreach.

Alongside BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami has also maintained a continuous presence in the electoral field through public contacts, workers’ meetings, and organizational activities. However, the party is particularly ahead of others in online and social media campaigning.

Meanwhile, other political parties—including the Jatiya Party (JP), Islami Andolon Bangladesh, Gano Odhikar Parishad, and NCP—are also conducting campaigns within their respective strongholds.

BNP Ahead in Field-Level Campaigning
With the election drawing closer, political activities across the country have become increasingly visible. Through large rallies, public gatherings, street meetings, and organizational conferences, political parties are asserting their presence. Political analysts believe that BNP is currently ahead in field-level campaigning.

The party’s senior leadership and central figures are regularly participating in programs at divisional and district levels. Key features of BNP’s campaign include large rallies in divisional and district cities, regular street meetings and mass contact programs, and efforts to rebuild organizational strength by overcoming internal weaknesses.

Tarique Rahman’s Nationwide Campaign Activities
BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman has been leading large rallies, public meetings, and campaign programs across various regions of the country. He has intensified political outreach in several key areas ahead of the election.

On February 4, he addressed a major public rally at Bells Park ground in Barishal city, where he described Jamaat-e-Islami as a “covert organization” and said it had emerged before the people of Bangladesh in a “new oppressive form.” Alongside criticizing the government, he urged party leaders and activists to remain united in the field. On the same day, he also joined a rally in Faridpur.

BNP has strengthened its campaign activities in the southern region and Khulna division. Tarique Rahman also participated in a public rally at Polo Ground in Chattogram city, where he highlighted the current political situation and called on the public to unite in support of the movement.

He has also campaigned extensively in the northern and northwestern regions. During a three-day tour, he attended programs in Rajshahi and several districts of northern Bangladesh, including Naogaon and Bogura, holding rallies and organizational meetings.

After formally launching his campaign from Sylhet, he held rallies in several areas of the division. He has also addressed rallies and street meetings in areas adjacent to Dhaka, including Narsingdi and Narayanganj. Party leaders say he will hold more public rallies in several key districts until the final day of campaigning.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ahead in Online Campaigning
Jamaat-e-Islami has maintained a steady presence in field-level campaigning, though its activities are more focused on organizational meetings, workers’ gatherings, and limited public outreach. The party has organized fewer large rallies, with its Ameer, Shafiqur Rahman, conducting campaigns in various districts.

In areas where Jamaat has strong organizational networks, campaigning has been particularly extensive. Instead of large rallies, the party is emphasizing network-based outreach, which is gradually expanding.

However, Jamaat’s campaign is not limited to the field alone. Its presence on online and digital platforms has been growing steadily. Political observers say Jamaat-e-Islami is currently ahead of other parties in online-based campaigning.

The party regularly publishes organized and consistent content on Facebook, YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), and other digital platforms. Through video messages, graphic posts, speech clips, and explanatory content, Jamaat is presenting its political positions. Key features of its digital campaign include centrally planned and coordinated content, targeted outreach to young and expatriate voters, and issue-based presentations alongside political messaging.

Analysts note that as a large segment of younger voters depends heavily on social media, online campaigning has become increasingly influential in electoral politics—an area where Jamaat appears to be making effective use of digital platforms.

By contrast, although BNP remains highly active in field-level programs, its online campaigning is still less organized. Much of its digital content revolves around field activities, but a regular and strategic digital campaign remains largely absent.

Divisional Overview of Campaign Activities
Based on reports from correspondents, political activities are intensifying across all divisions. While campaign styles and momentum vary by region, BNP’s ground presence is steadily increasing nationwide, alongside Jamaat’s extensive efforts.

Dhaka Division
Regular street meetings and rallies are being held across Dhaka city and districts including Narayanganj, Narsingdi, Gazipur, Manikganj, and Faridpur. Alongside BNP and Jamaat, other parties have also strengthened public outreach and organizational meetings.

Chattogram Division
BNP is particularly active in Chattogram city and the Cumilla region, organizing large rallies as well as ward- and thana-level meetings. BNP, Jamaat, NCP, and Islami Andolon Bangladesh are all conducting extensive campaigns, including door-to-door voter outreach. Jamaat is most active in Cumilla district.

Khulna Division
Campaigning has intensified in Khulna, Bagerhat, Jashore, Kushtia, and Jhenaidah. BNP and Jamaat are holding large rallies in divisional cities alongside district- and upazila-level organizational activities.

Rajshahi Division
BNP is holding regular public and workers’ meetings in Rajshahi, Naogaon, Bogura, and Pabna, focusing on rebuilding organizational strength in the north through rallies and village-based outreach. Jamaat is also conducting widespread campaigns in this division.

Rangpur Division
Campaigning in Rangpur, Dinajpur, Thakurgaon, and Lalmonirhat is gradually gaining momentum. Workers’ meetings and local-level gatherings are more common than large rallies, though preparations for bigger programs are underway.

Sylhet Division
All participating parties, including BNP and Jamaat, are actively campaigning in Sylhet, Moulvibazar, and Habiganj. Parties are holding day-and-night street meetings, public rallies, and door-to-door voter outreach, especially in hilly and haor areas. The strength gap between BNP and Jamaat in this division appears relatively narrow.

Mymensingh Division
BNP is conducting extensive campaigns across Netrokona, Jamalpur, Sherpur, and Mymensingh districts, with leaders and activists actively visiting every union and ward. The party is also ahead in Mymensingh City Corporation. Jamaat is campaigning across all constituencies, though with comparatively fewer activists.

Barishal Division
In the riverine Barishal division, BNP has intensified campaigning through large rallies and public meetings. Traditionally a BNP stronghold, the party has conducted widespread campaigns in all six districts since the election schedule was announced. Jamaat is also active in all districts with rallies, street meetings, and door-to-door outreach, particularly in Pirojpur and Bhola, though its presence remains somewhat lower than BNP’s in the division.