Islamic parties already gear up for polls, weigh possible alliances

Infographic: TBS

Islamic political parties in Bangladesh are intensifying their preparations for the upcoming polls, focusing on strengthening internal coordination and exploring potential electoral alliances though no date has been announced yet.

These parties, which have traditionally faced challenges in securing significant parliamentary representation, are now conducting meetings and mobilising their supporters across the country.

Discussions among their leaders indicate a possibility of electoral unity, although no final agreements have been reached. For now, each party is concentrating on preparing individual candidates.

According to the Election Commission, 11 out of 53 registered political organisations are called Islamic parties. These include Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, and Khelafat Majlis. Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, though no longer registered, remains a significant force within the Islamic political spectrum.

Other registered Islamic parties include Bangladesh Khilafat Andolan, Islami Oikya Jote, Islamic Front Bangladesh, Bangladesh Islami Front, Bangladesh Tariqat Federation, Zaker Party, and Bangladesh Supreme Party.

In addition, Hefazat-e-Islam, said to be a "non-political" platform, continues to wield considerable influence in religion-based political circles.

All these entities aim to amplify their presence and strategically position themselves to make a stronger impact on the political landscape.

Despite minimal success in previous elections, with limited seats and vote shares, Islamic party leaders believe their actual support base remains underestimated due to the coalition-based nature of past electoral participation.

A recent development has sparked discussions about potential unity. On Tuesday, Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman visited the Charmonai Darbar of Islami Andolan Bangladesh in Barishal, signalling closer ties between the two parties.

While neither party provided clear statements about any alliance formation, the leaders hinted at possible unity. Leaders believe this meeting has solidified the prospect of electoral collaboration.

Speaking to journalists later, Shafiqur Rahman said, "This is not the end of our meeting but a beginning. We are together and will work together."

Islami Andolan Ameer Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, popularly known as Charmonai Pir, also expressed similar views.

"We have long sought to place a single box [on the ballot] for Islam at every polling station. This effort will continue. For 53 years, Islamic parties have been sidelined through various strategies. Many political parties have used us as stepping stones to power," he said.

"In the current circumstances, it can be said that we [Jamaat and Islami Andolan] are coming closer. Therefore, I seek everyone's prayers so that we can all work together to build the country."

Shahidul Islam Kabir, media coordinator of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, told TBS that Jamaat's Ameer had paid a courtesy visit to the Charmonai Darbar. "They discussed several issues, particularly proportional representation or PR elections, where both parties agreed. They also agreed on having a unified Islamic box [on the ballot] in elections."

Performance of Islamic parties in past elections

In previous elections, Islamic parties have contested both individually and in coalitions. However, aside from Jamaat-e-Islami, the success rate of other Islamic parties has been negligible. 

The Jamaat achieved its best result in 1991, fielding candidates in 222 constituencies and winning 18 seats with a vote share of 12.13%. In subsequent elections, its vote share decreased to 8.61% in 1996, 4.28% in 2001, and 4.79% in 2008. In 2001 and 2008, they fielded candidates in 31 and 39 constituencies, respectively. 

Islami Andolan contested the 1991 and 1996 elections as part of the Islami Oikya Jote. It won a single seat in 1996. Subsequently, the party fielded candidates in three constituencies in 2001 and 167 constituencies in 2008 but failed to win any seats, with its vote share remaining below 1%. 

Other Islamic parties and coalitions that participated in elections also garnered less than 1% of the votes. 

Advocate Matiur Rahman Akand, spokesperson for the Jamaat, argued, "It is not accurate to say the Jamaat's votes have decreased. In recent elections, Jamaat participated as part of coalitions, so the vote count only reflects constituencies where our candidates contested." 

Shahidul Islam Kabir of the Islami Andolan stated, "No election since independence has been fair. Every election has been influenced by money and brute force. Considering past elections does not accurately reflect the Islamic parties' position. A fair election will clarify this." 

Jamaat's preparations for 300 constituencies

Jamaat is preparing to contest in all 300 constituencies in the upcoming elections and its central leaders are conducting extensive public engagement across districts.

According to party sources, candidates have already been finalised for at least 150 constituencies, with preparations ongoing for potential candidates in the remaining areas.

Advocate Matiur Rahman Akand, the party spokesperson, said, "The Jamaat is prepared for the elections and is readying candidates for all 300 constituencies. However, whether we contest independently or as part of a coalition will depend on the situation closer to the election."

He added that Jamaat candidates are actively engaging in discussions and outreach nationwide and noted that relations with other Islamic parties have strengthened.

"We are maintaining regular communication with other Islamic parties, and our relationships are stronger than before," he said.

Regarding reforms and elections, Matiur Rahman said, "We have sought frameworks for both reform and elections from the government. Reforms have no end, but the interim government should clarify how much reform they will implement and specify the election date."

In December, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus said the next general election can be held between the end of 2025 and the first half of 2026 after accomplishing necessary state reforms and a commission will be formed soon to build a national consensus, engaging with political parties.

Islami Andolan focuses on local govt elections

Islami Andolan is also preparing for elections in all 300 constituencies. Leaders of the party are holding meetings and rallies across districts. However, the party is prioritising local government elections before the national election.

Shahidul Islam Kabir, media coordinator for Islami Andolan, said, "Before the national election, our focus is on local government elections. We have contested in all 300 constituencies previously and are preparing to do so again. Electoral alliances among Islamic parties may be formed based on mutual understanding, but until then, we are preparing for all constituencies individually."

Shahidul mentioned the party's internal reform process, scheduled for December, where committees will be formed from the grassroots to the central level.

"Each committee will submit three names for potential candidates, and the highest council will finalise the election candidates," he explained.

On reforms, he stated, "We want reforms before the election. Elections without reforms will be meaningless. However, the timeframe for reforms should not be indefinite."

Targeted strategies by other Islamic parties

Since 5 August, political parties, including Islamic ones like the Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Hefazat-e-Islam, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, Khelafat Majlis, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, Khilafat Andolan, and Nizam-e-Islam Party, have met with the chief adviser in phases. 

These parties are working on targeted constituencies based on their popularity and local support. For example, constituencies where leaders have significant public support and active followers are being prioritised.

Khelafat Majlis' Publicity and Information Secretary Abdul Hafiz Khasru said, "The interim government's tenure is uncertain, but we are prepared for elections whenever they happen. We submitted reform proposals, and while they may not complete all of them, we expect them to start.

"We will be able to announce potential candidates for the next elections around February. We have the capacity to propose candidates in all 300 seats. However, we have strong candidates for 40-45 constituencies if there is an alliance among Islamic parties."

Abdul Hafiz clarified that discussions are ongoing about electoral understanding rather than forming a coalition.

"The goal is to avoid multiple Islamic party candidates in the same constituency. However, this discussion is still in the preliminary stage," he said.

Khelafat Majlis leaders held a meeting with the BNP leadership on Wednesday to discuss reforms and unity.

Abdul Hafiz explained, "As part of the anti-fascist unity established on 5 August, we are holding separate meetings with all parties. This meeting with BNP is part of that process. Both parties agree on holding elections by 2025, but no discussion on an electoral coalition has taken place."

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh General Secretary Maulana Manjurul Islam Afendi said, "As one of Bangladesh's oldest parties, we have always been election-focused. However, due to the lack of fair elections over the last 16 years, we participated in some and abstained from others.

"For the past two to two-and-a-half months, we have been conducting public engagement in districts. We have strong candidates in nearly 100 constituencies and are introducing them at the district level. If there is an understanding among Islamic parties, we will finalise candidates through discussions. But for now, we are preparing individually."

Role of Hefazat

Hefazat-e-Islam could play an influential role in fostering electoral understanding among Islamic parties.

Maulana Golam Rabbani, Joint Secretary-General of Hefazat, told TBS, "We are a non-political organisation, but many of our members are involved in Islamic parties and hold leadership positions. While Hefazat has political influence, there is no decision yet on its entry into politics."

TBS could not obtain comments from other leaders, including Maulana Mamunul Haque of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish and representatives of Khelafat Andolan and Nizam-e-Islam Party.