Dhaka – Bangladeshis are heading to the polls on , in an election unlike any in its recent history. For the first time since independence in 1971, Islamist forces appear poised for their strongest electoral showing, reshaping expectations about the political future of the Muslim-majority nation. The shift follows a student-led uprising in that ended the long rule of then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
With the Awami League (AL) banned pending trial, and its iconic election symbol – the boat – absent from the ballot for the first time, a political vacuum has emerged. Senior AL leaders now face trial over the deaths of hundreds during the unrest. In , Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal convicted Hasina of obstructing justice, ordering killings and failing to prevent punitive violence. She is currently in exile in neighboring India.
In this environment, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), long marginalized due to its opposition to Bangladesh’s 1971 war of independence, has sought to consolidate the Islamist vote. The party has formed an 11-party electoral alliance, though Islami Andolan pulled out at the last moment over seat-sharing disputes.
The Appeal of Islamist Parties
For Riaz Ahmed, a 25-year-old engineering student at the University of Dhaka, the choice is clear: he will vote for Jamaat-e-Islami. “The Jamaat is the only party that has never taken a penny from the people,” he said, gathered with friends in a working-class neighborhood of the capital. “There has never been a single allegation of corruption against the party.” This perception of integrity is a key strength for Jamaat, as corruption is widely seen as endemic in Bangladesh.
The dramatic political changes stem from widespread discontent with the previous regime. Citizens complain of having to bribe officials for even basic services, such as birth certificates. Allegations have surfaced that elites under Hasina’s authoritarian rule transferred hundreds of billions of dollars abroad before her overthrow.
Shafiqur Rahman, the leader of Jamaat-e-Islami, has emphasized anti-corruption measures and social justice in his campaign rhetoric. Addressing supporters, he accused the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) of nominating candidates with known corruption records, urging voters to reject them.
An Unexpected Rise in Popularity
The rise of Jamaat-e-Islami has surprised many observers. Historically, Islamist parties have struggled to gain significant traction in Bangladeshi elections. However, recent surveys suggest a close contest between the BNP-led alliance and the Jamaat-led bloc. The International Institute of Law and Diplomacy places the BNP at 44.1%, narrowly ahead of Jamaat’s bloc at 43.9%.
The party is attempting to broaden its appeal beyond its traditional base. While maintaining a conservative stance, it is focusing on issues such as good governance and restoring law and order. Jamaat representatives assert they will ensure the rights enshrined in the constitution are respected and that all citizens have equal opportunities, reassuring women and religious minorities.
However, skepticism remains. Many question whether Jamaat has truly reformed, recalling its opposition to Bangladesh’s independence and its alleged involvement in atrocities during the 1971 liberation war. The party was briefly banned after independence and several of its leaders have been executed for war crimes.
Concerns over Women’s Rights
The alliance between Jamaat and the National Citizen Party (NCP), a party born out of the student movement that ousted Hasina, has also raised concerns. While the NCP initially presented itself as a progressive force, its decision to align with Jamaat has led to internal divisions and the departure of some female members.
Tasneem Jara, a physician who left the NCP in protest, expressed concern that the alliance would shrink the political space for women. She noted that female activists are facing increased harassment and coordinated online attacks aimed at silencing them. “We were convinced that there was an opportunity to create a new political culture,” Jara said. “With the July uprising, the political space opened up for women. But this space is shrinking again.”
Jara is running as an independent candidate, hoping to represent the ideals of the student movement in parliament. She acknowledges the challenges, including the coordinated online harassment targeting female candidates.
Jamaat representatives maintain that they respect all citizens regardless of gender, religion, or ethnicity. Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair, the party’s deputy general secretary, stated, “If we come to power, we will ensure that the rights enshrined in the constitution are respected and everyone gets equal opportunities.”
Despite these assurances, many women fear that a Jamaat-led government could restrict their opportunities, particularly in the workforce. The party’s all-male list of candidates has fueled these concerns.
As Bangladesh prepares to vote, the outcome remains uncertain. The election is not only about choosing a new government but also about deciding the future direction of the nation – and whether a party with a controversial past can successfully reinvent itself and gain the trust of a diverse electorate.
Reporting by Mohammed Belal Hossen.
