As the upcoming parliamentary elections approach, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is meticulously preparing its candidate lists, reportedly identifying multiple potential contenders for each constituency. 

Salahuddin Ahmed, a member of the party’s Standing Committee, revealed the plan on Monday.

Speaking to reporters after paying tribute to BNP founder Ziaur Rahman at his grave in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar on the occasion of the 47th anniversary of the BNP’s youth wing, Salahuddin Ahmed said, “We have engaged with several qualified candidates in constituencies across Bangladesh.”

The strategy mirrors the approach taken during the 2018 11th parliamentary elections, when the BNP submitted multiple nominations per seat. 

At the time, party leaders explained that this was a safeguard to ensure that constituencies would not remain vacant should candidate approvals be annulled under the ruling Awami League.

Looking ahead to the 13th parliamentary elections, scheduled for February, the BNP is expected to finalise its candidate list for more than 200 constituencies in its forthcoming Standing Committee meeting. The party is also taking into account seat adjustments required by coalition arrangements.

Despite selecting multiple candidates per seat, Salahuddin Ahmed emphasised that the focus remains on unity. “We want to send a single message, that there is cohesion within our party and unity within the nation. Unity is our greatest strength, and we aim to ensure no one within the party goes down the path of division,” he said.

Salahuddin Ahmed further stated that the BNP plans to form a broad political alliance, bringing together parties involved in joint movements. “This alliance will comprise all anti-fascist forces while maintaining the continuity of ongoing movements,” he added.