BNP In final stage of selecting candidates for 300 seats: Tarique Rahman

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has said that the party is in the final stages of completing all necessary preparations to participate in the much-anticipated national election.

“As part of this process, the nomination of BNP candidates and BNP-backed candidates in the 300 parliamentary constituencies is now nearing completion,” he stated while virtually inaugurating BNP’s overseas membership collection and renewal campaign, along with the launch of its online payment gateway, at a hotel in Dhaka on Sunday.

Tarique noted that as a popular and people-backed political party, it is natural for several qualified leaders to seek nominations in nearly every constituency. “This is a matter of pride and honour for any political organisation,” he said.

He added that it is not possible to nominate everyone and that BNP has decided to support some candidates from other democratic parties that participated in the anti-fascist movement alongside it. “Because of this, some BNP aspirants may not receive party nominations,” he explained.

Tarique urged all BNP leaders, activists, and supporters to accept this reality in the greater interest of the country, the people, and democracy.

“Please treat the party’s decision as final. I remind you of the words of the proclaimer of independence, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman: ‘The party is greater than the individual, and the country is greater than the party,’” he said.

He mentioned that the names of BNP-nominated candidates will be announced soon, in phases. “Whoever gets the nomination, work unitedly to ensure their victory. Remember, a hidden dictatorship with secret ambitions is watching closely. Do not let petty resentments, disputes, or divisions among yourselves give the opponent any advantage,” he cautioned.

Tarique reminded nomination seekers that they are followers of Ziaur Rahman and soldiers of Begum Khaleda Zia. “Remember, if the BNP’s symbol ‘sheaf of paddy’ wins, you win, democracy wins, and the country wins,” he said.

The BNP acting chairman also voiced concern over growing public doubts about whether the upcoming national election will be held as scheduled, warning that such uncertainty could endanger the country’s democratic transition.

“During the rule of the fallen, defeated, and fugitive autocrat, people had no interest in national elections. Now, under the interim government, questions are arising among the public — will the election be held on time?” he said.

Tarique welcomed the introduction of voting rights for Bangladeshis living abroad, acknowledging that while the process might initially seem complicated, it is an important step forward. “In sha Allah, if BNP comes to power, we will simplify the voting process for expatriates even further,” he promised.

He concluded by officially launching BNP’s online membership and payment gateway through the website www.bnpbd.org, enabling anyone, anywhere in the world, to become a member, renew their membership, or contribute to the party online.