Bangladesh’s Islamic Movement, a key alliance in the country’s upcoming elections, has decided to contest the 13th parliamentary elections independently. The decision was made public on Thursday, January 18, 2024, in a press conference held by the movement’s spokesperson, Ghazi Ata Rahman, in Dhaka.
According to Ghazi Ata Rahman, the Bangladesh Islamic Movement will field candidates in 268 constituencies across the country, independent of any alliance. He attributed the decision to the movement’s leader, Mufit Syed Muhammad Rezwan Karem, who has been a vocal critic of the current electoral system in Bangladesh.
The move comes amidst a backdrop of controversy surrounding the upcoming elections, with allegations of vote rigging and manipulation. In a damning report, a parliamentary committee investigating the 2014, 2018, and 2024 elections revealed that up to 80% of votes cast in the 2018 elections were done so in the dead of night.
Ghazi Ata Rahman accused the alliance, led by the Jamaat-e-Islami, of not providing the Islamic Movement with a fair deal, citing concerns over certain activities that were deemed incompatible with Islamic values and principles. The movement has now secured nomination papers in all 268 constituencies, and will contest the elections independently.
The Jamaat-e-Islami, led by its Amir, had announced an alliance with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), and the Nationalist Party (NP) in July last year. However, the alliance has been plagued by internal conflicts, with the Islamic Movement accusing the other parties of not consulting them before forming the alliance.
The 13th parliamentary elections are scheduled to take place on February 12, 2026, along with a referendum on constitutional reforms. The Bangladesh Election Commission has confirmed that nomination papers for the elections have been received from a total of 2,568 candidates, with the final deadline for withdrawals set for January 20.
The development is likely to have significant implications for the country’s electoral landscape, with the Islamic Movement’s decision to contest the elections independently set to shake up the political dynamics. As the country heads towards the polls, the stage is set for a intense and unpredictable electoral battle.
Meanwhile, tensions are also simmering in other parts of the world, with protests erupting in Iran over the government’s handling of the recent unrest. In a separate development, the Indian government has come under fire for its handling of a controversy involving a senior MLA from the Congress party.
In other news, a fire has broken out in a shopping complex in a Russian city, with reports suggesting that over 1,000 shops were destroyed in the blaze. The cause of the fire is still unknown, but officials have confirmed that the damage is extensive.
In a related development, a senior minister in the Russian government has announced that the country’s internet services have been restored after a brief disruption. The move comes as the country continues to grapple with the aftermath of recent protests.
Finally, in a bizarre incident, a man in India has been arrested for allegedly killing his wife by strangling her. The man, who was reportedly drunk at the time of the incident, has been taken into custody and is facing charges of murder.
Separately, the Iranian government has announced that it has restored internet services in the country after a brief disruption. The move comes as the country continues to grapple with the aftermath of recent protests.
In a related development, the Indian government has come under fire for its handling of a controversy involving a senior MLA from the Congress party. The MLA, who was accused of making a derogatory comment, has defended his actions, saying that he was only trying to be humorous.
In other news, a fire has broken out in a shopping complex in a Russian city, with reports suggesting that over 1,000 shops were destroyed in the blaze. The cause of the fire is still unknown, but officials have confirmed that the damage is extensive.
In a related development, a senior minister in the Russian government has announced that the country’s internet services have been restored after a brief disruption. The move comes as the country continues to grapple with the aftermath of recent protests.
Finally, in a bizarre incident, a man in India has been arrested for allegedly killing his wife by strangling her. The man
