Who are the candidates of NDF alliance

The newly formed National Democratic Front (NDF), led by a faction of the Jatiya Party and the Jatiya Party JP, has announced the names of 131 candidates for 119 parliamentary constituencies.

The announcement was made at a press conference held at a hotel in Banani on Tuesday, December 23, where Jatiya Party executive chairman Mujibul Haque Chunnu unveiled the list.

Among the prominent candidates named by the alliance are Anisul Islam Mahmud, Chattogram-5, chairman of the National Democratic Front; Anwar Hossain Manju, Pirojpur-2, chairman of JP; ABM Ruhul Amin Howlader, Patuakhali-1, secretary general of the Jatiya Party; Advocate Kazi Firoz Rashid, Dhaka-10, senior co-chairman of Japa; Advocate Mujibul Haque Chunnu, Kishoreganj-3, executive chairman of Japa; Sheikh Shahidul Islam, Madaripur-3, secretary general of JP; Golam Sarwar Milon, Manikganj-2, chief coordinator of the front; Shah Mohammad Abu Zafar, Faridpur-2, former MP; Nasrin Jahan Ratna, Barishal-6, former MP; Shafiqul Islam Sentu, Dhaka-13; and Liaqat Hossain Khoka, Narayanganj-3, former MP.

The candidate list also includes several former MPs and senior political figures from the Jatiya Party and allied groups across constituencies such as Cumilla-8, Bogura-6, Sylhet-2, Nilphamari-3, Kurigram-2, Feni-1, Chattogram-7, Jamalpur-4, Dhaka-17, Netrokona-3, Pabna-1, Noakhali-4, Barishal-3, Lakshmipur-1, Dhaka-16, Dhaka-14, Brahmanbaria-3, Satkhira-2, Sherpur-1, Thakurgaon-1, Lalmonirhat-2, Gaibandha-1, Rajshahi-1, Rajshahi-3, Magura-1 and Magura-2, among others.

Candidates from allied parties have also been nominated, including representatives contesting in Cox’s Bazar, Kurigram-4, Thakurgaon-3, Cumilla-5, Narayanganj-4, Jhenaidah-2, Chattogram-9, Barishal-6, Meherpur-2, Khulna-1 and Chandpur-3.

The NDF has fielded multiple candidates in 11 constituencies: Dhaka-10, Barishal-6, Dhaka-17, Chattogram-9, Sherpur-1, Shariatpur-1, Dhaka-18, Barguna-1, Barishal-4, Jhalokathi-2 and Tangail-8.

In his opening remarks, Jatiya Party secretary general and NDF spokesperson ABM Ruhul Amin Howlader said the country was witnessing widespread mob violence, affecting ordinary citizens, political leaders and senior journalists alike. He cited recent attacks on media offices, assaults on journalists, killings and arson incidents as evidence of a severe deterioration in law and order.

He questioned how a free and credible election could be ensured amid what he described as an unsafe and volatile national situation.