In Cox’s Bazar, candidates have been announced for three out of the four parliamentary constituencies, while the BNP nominee for Cox’s Bazar-2 Maheshkhali-Kutubdia will be revealed later, according to BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir at a press conference.

For the announced constituencies, the BNP candidates are:

• Cox’s Bazar-1 (Chakaria-Pekua): Salahuddin Ahmed, member of BNP’s Standing Committee and former State Minister.

• Cox’s Bazar-3 (Cox’s Bazar Sadar, Ramu-Eidgaon): Lutfor Rahman Kajol, BNP Central Committee’s Fisheries Secretary and former MP.

• Cox’s Bazar-4 (Ukhiya-Teknaf): Shahjahan Chowdhury, former Whip and District BNP President.

Among the three, Lutfor Rahman Kajol has served once as MP, while Salahuddin Ahmed and Shahjahan Chowdhury have each been elected three times in their respective constituencies.

Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami has announced its candidates for all four constituencies: Abdullah Al Faruk for Cox’s Bazar-1, A.H.M. Hamidur Rahman Azad for Cox’s Bazar-2, Shahidul Islam Bahadur for Cox’s Bazar-3, and Nur Ahmed Anowari for Cox’s Bazar-4. Except for Hamidur Rahman Azad, the other three are first-time candidates, raising speculation about how they will perform against BNP’s experienced nominees.

Cox’s Bazar-1 (Chakaria-Pekua)
This constituency, numbered 294 in the National Parliament, has been a BNP stronghold. Salahuddin Ahmed has been elected three times, and his wife, Hasina Ahmed, once, giving BNP four wins in total. In the last election in 2008, Hasina Ahmed defeated Salahuddin Ahmed (CIP) with 156,512 votes to his 121,111. Previously, Salahuddin Ahmed won in 2001, 1996 (June), and February 1996 elections. Jamaat candidate Abdullah Al Faruk, formerly active in student politics and currently the Amir of Cox’s Bazar town Jamaat, is contesting as a first-time MP candidate against this experienced BNP leader.

Cox’s Bazar-3 (Cox’s Bazar Sadar-Ramu-Eidgaon)
Constituency 296 has Lutfor Rahman Kajol as the BNP candidate. He was elected in 2008, defeating the Awami League candidate with 126,478 votes. Previously, BNP had also won here in 2001 and 1996 elections. Jamaat’s Shahidul Islam Bahadur, a former vice-chairman of Cox’s Bazar Sadar Upazila Parishad and ex-student leader, is contesting as an MP candidate for the first time. Both candidates have expressed hope for a fair and peaceful election.

Cox’s Bazar-4 (Ukhiya-Teknaf)
Constituency 297, formed in 1986, is represented by Shahjahan Chowdhury (BNP), who has been elected three times previously, including the February 1996 election. In the 2008 election, he lost to Awami League candidate Abdur Rahman Badi by 103,626 to 79,310 votes. Jamaat’s candidate Nur Ahmed Anowari, four-time chairman of Teknaf’s Hwaikong Union and current district Jamaat Amir, is contesting as MP for the first time. Both leaders maintain cordial relations, adding to speculation about the election outcome.

Cox’s Bazar-2 (Maheshkhali-Kutubdia)
Constituency 295 was won in 2008 by Jamaat candidate A.H.M. Hamidur Rahman Azad, who is contesting again. Previously, this seat was held by BNP candidates Alomgir Muhammad Mahfuzullah Farid (2001, 1996) and in 1991 by Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD). BNP has not yet announced its candidate for this constituency. Speculation suggests that if BNP contests as part of an alliance, this seat may be allocated to Jamaat or another partner. Former MPs Alomgir Muhammad Mahfuzullah Farid and Nurul Bashar Chowdhury are among those seeking BNP nomination.

With experienced BNP leaders facing new Jamaat contenders in key constituencies, the upcoming elections in Cox’s Bazar are expected to be closely watched and hotly contested.