Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB) candidate Md. Obaidur Rahman. Photo : Collected

BHOLA, Feb 2, 2026 (BSS) - Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB) candidate Md. Obaidur Rahman for Bhola-1 (Sadar) constituency has pledged to work tirelessly to implement the 6-point demands of the “long-neglected” people of Bhola.

“If elected in the upcoming Jatiya Sangsad polls on February 12, I would prioritize overall development of the district including long-demanded Bhola–Barisal bridge, healthcare services and visible infrastructural development,” he said.

In an exclusive interview with BSS here recently, Obaidur Rahman said, “Being a son of the soil, I will not leave the area…I will stay with the people and work for their development, if elected”.

Rahman, who is contesting with IAB's election symbol “Hatpakha” (Hand Fan) is currently serving as the Assistant Secretary of the party’s labour wing- Shramik Andolon. 

Responding to a question, he said that he had played a leading role in past movements to secure the rights of Bhola residents. “If elected, I will make development visible, InshaAllah.” 

On the issue of following the electoral code of conduct, Rahman stated that since Islami Andolan Bangladesh is a disciplined party, its leaders and activists always adhere to election rules as they have been strictly instructed to follow the electoral code of conduct.

When asked about his stance on the referendum on the July Charter, he said his party strongly supports a ‘Yes’ vote. 

He recalled the sacrifices made during the July Uprising, where hundreds were martyred, thousands injured or disabled.  “If the ‘Yes’ vote is not successful, the core objective of the July Uprising will be meaningless,” he said.

He went on saying that his party leaders and activists are actively campaigning in favour of the referendum.

Regarding expectations for the upcoming national election, Rahman expressed the hope that voters would be able to cast their votes freely in a festive atmosphere on February 12. 

He noted that the people were previously deprived of their voting rights and expressed optimism that voters would support him in the Bhola Sadar constituency. “I am cent percent optimistic that people will vote for me.”

Apart from Maulana Obaidur Rahman of IAB, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) candidate and Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP) Chairman Barrister Andaleeve Rahman Partho with his party's electoral symbol "Garur Gari (bullock cart)" and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and its Bhola district Nayeb-e-Ameer candidate Principal Md Nazrul Islam with his party's election symbol "Dari Palla (Scale) are contesting the polls from Bhola-1 constituency.

According to the Bhola District Election Office, Bhola-1 constituency comprises one municipality and 13 unions, with a total of 383,864 voters. Among them, 199,240 are male, 184,620 are female, and four are third-gender voters. The number of new voters stands at 179,997.

At least 100,000 voters in the constituency are reportedly not affiliated with any political party. Political analysts believe that these voters, along with a significant youth vote, would be a determining factor in the upcoming polls.

Overall, senior politicians and people from various professions in Bhola believe that Bhola-1 constituency has become a complex and competitive battleground for candidates in the upcoming national parliamentary elections.

After a long time, the 13th national parliament election scheduled for February 12 will usher a fresh hope to the people for ensuring a sustainable democracy in the country.