Rangpur sees multi-way contest in six constituencies as candidates promise development, jobs, justice ahead elections. Photo : BSS

By Md Mamun Islam

RANGPUR, Feb 5, 2026 (BSS) - Keeping in mind the voters' demands for the 
desired development of neglected Rangpur, the candidates contesting in all 
six seats of Rangpur in the February 12 Jatiya Sangsad (JS) elections may 
face two- to three-way competitions.

Meanwhile, the election campaign has gained momentum at a stage now when the 
voting field is gradually heating up due to the contradictory political 
statements of the party candidates in the six constituencies of Rangpur 
district.

In this district rich in cultural heritage on the banks of the Teesta River, 
candidates from 14 political parties, including BNP, Jatiya Party, Jamaat-e-
Islami, NCP, Islami Andolan Bangladesh and Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal 
(Marxist), are contesting.

A total of 44 candidates, including seven independent candidates, are now 
contesting for the six parliamentary seats in the district.

Personal popularity, party influence and the presence of experienced and 
popular politicians have created a multi-faceted and heated competition in 
these seats. 

In this situation, local observers feel that BNP is ahead in some seats, 
Jatiya Party in some places and Jamaat-e-Islami or NCP in other seats. 

However, voters feel that there may be a two- or three-way competition 
between the rival candidates of different political parties in these six 
seats of the district. 

Candidates and their supporters and workers are running around the cities, 
towns and villages from dawn to dusk with garlands of promises.

The sound of loudspeakers during the campaigns created a musical atmosphere 
across the district as people gathered at tea shops, bus stands and other 
public places to talk about the popularity of the candidates according to 
their own opinions.

The candidates are showing their dream of building a new Bangladesh in 
meetings, seminars, courtyard meetings, and public meetings, capturing the 
spirit of the great Liberation War and the July Uprising. 
 
Some are talking about the desired reforms free from corruption, including 
the establishment of justice, rights, and good governance. 
 
On the other hand, voters are demanding that the desired development of 
neglected Rangpur and the fulfillment of basic rights be fulfilled. 
 
In Rangpur-1 (Gangachara and part of Rangpur City) seat, the discussion in 
the election campaign is centered on the BNP-Jamaat candidate after the 
nomination paper of the Jatiya Party candidate Barrister Manjum Ali was 
finally canceled due to his dual citizenship. 

Five candidates are contesting in this seat amidst a possibility of a two-way 
contest between BNP candidate Mukarram Hossain Sujon and Jamaat-e-Islami 
candidate Raihan Siraji. 

Voters say that BNP's Mukarram Hossain Sujan (Sheaf of Paddy) is ahead in 
terms of popularity. Jamaat-e-Islami's Raihan Siraji's (Daripalla) popularity 
is also second to the BNP candidate in this seat.
 
Local voters want peace and order to return to the grassroots through the 
implementation of the Teesta Master Plan, local development, and unity 
politics to prevent irregularities and corruption.
 
Islami Andolan's ATM Golam Mustafa (Hand fan), Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal 
(Marxist)'s Ahsanul Arefin (Scissors'), and Islamic Front Bangladesh's Md 
Anam (Chair) symbol are also contesting in Rangpur-1 seat. 

The total number of voters in this constituency is 3,75,227. Of them, 3,257 
voters have registered to vote by postal ballot. 
 
In Rangpur-2 constituency, five candidates, including Jamaat-e-Islami's ATM 
Azharul Islam (Daripalla), Jatiya Party's Anisul Islam Mandal (Plough), BNP's 
Mohammad Ali Sarkar (Sheaf of Paddy), Islami Andolan's Ashraf Ali (Hand fan) 
and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal's Azizur Rahman (Star), are in the fray. 
 
Voters see BNP, Jamaat and Jatiya Party candidates as heavyweights in this 
constituency because one of them is a top leader of Jamaat-e-Islami and two 
others are former Members of Parliament. 
 
This time, the BNP candidate is seeing a ray of hope in this constituency. On 
the other hand, since Awami League is out of the elections, the position of 
Jatiya Party candidate in this constituency is somewhat strong. 
 
On the other hand, Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Amir ATM Azharul Islam, supported 
by the 11-party alliance, and the party's leaders and supporters believe that 
Jamaat's position here is stronger than before. 

All three strong candidates are promising to launch Shyampur Sugar Mills, 
develop communication systems, create jobs, fulfill basic needs and improve 
socio-economic conditions in Rangpur-2 seat where voters are predicting a 
three-way competition. 

The total number of voters in Rangpur-2 constituency, which consists of 
Badarganj and Taraganj upazilas, is 3, 80 921. Out of them, 3,116 voters have 
registered to vote by postal ballot. 
 
In Rangpur-3 (Sadar and part of Rangpur City) constituency, eight candidates 
are contesting the race in the upcoming 13th Jatiya Sangsad Elections.

They are: Jatiya Party's GM Quader (Plough), BNP's Md Samsuzzaman Samu (Sheaf 
of Paddy), Jamaat-e-Islami's Mahabubur Rahman Belal (Daripalla), Isami 
Andolon's Amiruzzaman Piyal (Hand fan), Bangladesh Socialist Party's Abdul 
Quddus (Ladder), Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal (Marxist)'s Anwar Hossain 
Bablu (Scissors), independent candidate Reita Rahman (sunflower) and third 
gender independent candidate Anwara Islam Rani (Deer).

This time, Jatiya Party leaders and activists, including GM Quader, are busy 
campaigning with the slogan of saving the country by voting 'no' in the 
referendum in Rangpur-3 constituency.

BNP candidate Shamsuzzaman Samu is making various promises, including 
implementation of the Teesta Master Plan and providing employment to a large 
number of people in this area. 

Jamaat-e-Islami's Mahabubur Rahman Belal and Isami Andolon's Amiruzzaman 
Piyal are also indicating a strong competition. 
 
The prestigious Rangpur-3 constituency is called the 'stronghold' of the 
Jatiya Party for a long time. 

This time the Jatiya Party leaders do not see an alternative to victory to 
overcome the multifaceted pressure that has been created around the Jatiya 
Party across the country after the July Uprising. 

For this reason, the party leaders and activists, including GM Quader, are 
spending their time busy campaigning. 
 
Meanwhile, the only third-gender independent candidate in the entire country 
Anwara Islam Rani is contesting in this Jatiya Sangsad election in Rangpur-3 
constituency. 

Rangpur-3 constituency has a total of 5,08, 224 voters. Of them, 5,230 voters 
have registered to vote in postal ballots. 

In Rangpur-4 constituency, (Kawnia-Pirgachha), eight candidates are 
contesting in the upcoming Jatiya Sangsad Elections.

They are: BNP candidate industrialist Emdadul Haque Bharsha (Sheaf of Paddy), 
NCP's Akhter Hossen (Shapla Koli), Jatiya Party's Abu Naser Shah Mahbubar 
Rahman (Plough), Islami Andolan's Zahid Hossain (Hand fan), Bangladesh 
Khelafat Majlis's Abu Sahma (Rickshaw), Bangladesh Congress's Ujjwal Chandra 
Roy (Dub), Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal (Marxist)'s Pragati Barman Toma 
(Scissors) and independent candidate Shah Alam Basar (Deer).
 
This time, BNP candidate Emdadul Haque Bharsha with his popularity is 
desperate to rescue this constituency. He believes that the victory of BNP's 
Sheaf of Paddy is certain in this seat which had been occupied by the Awami 
League for a long time. 
 
In this seat, NCP candidate Akhter Hossen is contesting the election from the 
11-party alliance with the support of Jamaat-e-Islami and the young 
generation of voters of Pirgachha and Kawnia upazilas, confident of winning 
the election.

Jatiya Party's candidate Abu Naser Shah Mahbubar Rahman is touring the 
election field to restore this seat. 
 
The total number of voters in this constituency is 5,09,906. Out of them, 
4,643 voters have registered to vote by postal ballot. 
 
In Rangpur-5 (Mithapukur) constituency, 10 candidates are contesting in this 
Jatiya Sangsad Elections with a possibility of a three-way fight among the 
BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami and Jatiya Party. 

All three candidates from BNP, Jatiya Party, and Jamaat-e-Islami are 
vigorously campaigning for the election. 

The contesting candidates are: Jamaat-e-Islami's Professor Golam Rabbani 
(Daripalla), BNP's Professor Golam Rabbani (Sheaf of Paddy), Jatiya Party's 
SM Fakhr-uz-Zaman Jahangir, Islami Andolon's Golzar Hossain (Hand fan), 
Nagorik Oikya's Mofakhkharul Islam Nabab (Kettle), CPB's Abu Helal (Scythe), 
Amar Bangladesh Party's Abdul Bashet (Eagle), Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal 
(Marxist)'s Babul Akhter (Scissors) and Bangladesh Congress's Mahbubur Rahman 
(Dub).

The total number of voters in Rangpur-5 constituency is 4,69,189. Of them, 
4,445 voters are registered to vote in the postal ballot. 

In Rangpur-6 (Pirganj) constituency, eight candidates are contesting this 
time. 

Common voters believe that there will be a tough fight between BNP and 
Jamaat-e-Islami candidates in this constituency in the 13th Jatiya Sangsad 
Elections. 

The contesting candidates are: BNP's Md Saiful Islam (Sheaf of Paddy), 
Jamaat-e-Islami's Moulana Nurul Amin (Daripalla), Jatiya Party's Nur Alam Mia 
(Plough), Amar Bangladesh Party's Sadequl Islam (Eagle), Islami Andolan's 
Sultan Mahmud (Hand fan), independent candidate Abu Zafar Md Zahid (Horse), 
independent candidate Khandaker Shahidul Islam (Football) and independent 
candidate Takia Jahan Chowdhury (Sunflower).

The total number of voters in this seat is 3,55,735 voters here. Of them, 
2,876 voters have registered to vote in this seat through postal ballot.