11-Party Alliance Announces Seat Sharing: 179 for Jamaat, 50 Reserved for Islami Andolan

The Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance on Thursday announced its candidate distribution for 250 constituencies in the upcoming national election. Under the agreement, Jamaat-e-Islami will contest 179 seats, while 50 seats have been left vacant for Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB), which is yet to formally join the bloc.

Jamaat Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher announced the figures at a press conference held at the Institution of Diploma Engineers in Dhaka. He characterized the upcoming polls as a "contest to protect our existence" rather than a mere change of power.

The alliance distributed the remaining seats among several partner parties: • National Citizen Party (NCP): 30 seats • Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis: 20 seats • Khelafat Majlis: 10 seats • Liberal Democratic Party (LDP): 7 seats • AB Party: 3 seats • Nizam-e-Islam Party & Bangladesh Development Party: 2 seats each

The Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon and Jatiya Ganatantrik Party have yet to finalize their positions.

The Islami Andolan Standoff Despite the reservation of 50 seats, Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB) did not send a representative to the event. Sources indicate IAB is holding out for at least 70 seats.

Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman expressed optimism regarding their inclusion, stating, "They are working things out amongst themselves. I hope they will join us."

Vision for Reform Addressing the media, Shafiqur Rahman called for an end to "authoritarian politics" and urged the youth to protect the integrity of the vote. "No rigged election will be accepted by the public," he warned.

NCP Convenor Nahid Islam emphasized that candidates would run under a unified alliance banner to uphold the "July Charter," while LDP President Col (retd) Oli Ahmed urged voters to choose a "government based on justice" over the traditional two-party system.

The alliance has announced candidates for 250 out of 300 constituencies. While 50 seats are reserved for Islami Andolan Bangladesh, the party’s central leadership has not yet confirmed its participation in the alliance, citing disagreements over seat numbers.