10-party alliance leaves 215 constituencies for Jamaat-e-Islami

The decision on seat sharing in seven seats remains pending

The 10-party alliance has decided to allocate 215 seats to the Jamaat-e-Islami, with the remaining 85 seats distributed among the other partners.

The seat distribution was confirmed hours before election campaigning began following the allocation of symbols to candidates.

The general election is scheduled to be held in 300 seats on Feb 12.

Under the alliance, the National Citizen Party (NCP) will contest in 30 constituencies, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis in 23, Khelafat Majlis in 10, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in seven, Bangladesh Nezam-e-Islam Party in three, Amar Bangladesh Party in three, and Bangladesh Development Party (BDP) in two seats.

The decision on seat sharing in seven seats is still pending, said Gazi Ataur Rahman, a joint secretary general of Jamaat.

"The Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (JAGPA) and Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon are partners in our alliance, and they will work for the alliance without being allocated any seats," said Ataur Rahman.

The alliance of Islamist parties, led by the Jamaat-e-Islami, announced candidates for 253 seats on Thursday. Jamaat received 179 seats, followed by the NCP with 30, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis with 20, and Khelafat Majlis with 10. The remaining seats were distributed among the other alliance partners.

The earlier agreement made under an 11-party alliance had left 47 seats for Islami Andolan Bangladesh. On Friday, the Islami Andolan left the alliance following disagreement over the seat-sharing deal.

Of the seats saved for the Islami Andolan, Jamaat acquired 36, while the rest were distributed among Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis and Bangladesh Nezam-e-Islam Party.