Rafiqul Islam Jamal. Photo : BSS

JHALOKATHI, Feb 2, 2026 (BSS) – Rafiqul Islam Jamal, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) candidate for the Jhalokathi-1 constituency, has pledged to prioritize employment generation and the prevention of river erosion if elected in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election.

Jamal, who serves as the Religious Affairs Secretary of the BNP Central Committee, is contesting the polls with the "Sheaf of Paddy” symbol. 

In an interview with the BSS district correspondent, he shared his vision for developing the Rajapur and Kathalia upazilas. 

BSS: What are your primary electoral pledges for the voters in your constituency?
Rafiqul Islam Jamal: The 13th National Parliamentary Election is the election we have long desired. We have waited 17 years for a fair poll. My primary pledge is to build a "Beautiful Bangladesh.” The goals for which we fought the 1971 Independence War have not been achieved even after 54 years. 

Regarding local issues, my constituency is surrounded by the Biskhali River and suffers from severe erosion. If elected, I will take the initiative to construct a permanent embankment (dam) up to Amua Port and repair weak infrastructure built by the previous administration. Additionally, I will work to establish a hospital in Kathalia Upazila Sadar, which is currently lacking such a facility.

BSS: What are your instructions to your party activists regarding the electoral code of conduct?

Rafiqul Islam Jamal: I have strictly instructed my leaders and activists to follow all codes of conduct issued by the interim government and the Election Commission. If anyone violates these instructions, strict organizational disciplinary action will be taken against them.

BSS: What is your position regarding the referendum on the July Charter?
Rafiqul Islam Jamal: Our decision is the party's decision regarding the "Yes” vote. I have directed my activists to campaign simultaneously for the "Sheaf of Paddy" and the "Yes” vote.

BSS: What are your expectations for the upcoming national election?
Rafiqul Islam Jamal: A free and fair election was held in 1991 under the leadership of Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed; I personally want an election of that standard. Although the current government is an interim government rather than a caretaker government, my expectation is that they will arrange an election similar to the 1991 polls.

The Jhalokathi district, established in 1984 and covering an area of 706.76 square kilometers, currently has a total of 593,826 voters for the 13th parliamentary election. The district is divided into two seats: Jhalokathi-1 (Rajapur-Kathalia) and Jhalokathi-2 (Sadr-Nalchity).

Jhalokathi-1 (Seat No. 125) has 228,430 voters. While the seat was historically considered a BNP stronghold, Awami League (AL) held it for the last 16 years.

For the upcoming election, the main contest in Jhalokathi-1 is expected to be between BNP's Rafiqul Islam Jamal and Jamaat-e-Islami's Faizul Haque. Eight other candidates are also in the field, including representatives from the Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Jatiya Party, and several independent candidates.