FENI, a coastal region in south-east Bangladesh within Chattogram Division, is one of the country's smallest districts but occupies a strategic location along the Dhaka-Chattogram transport corridor.
The district derives its name from the Feni River and boasts a rich history spanning over five millennia. Historically, it was part of the greater Noakhali, Cumilla, and Tripura regions, with archaeological evidence indicating human settlements dating back 5,000 years.
As the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election approaches, the political atmosphere of the district is becoming increasingly charged. The district has three parliamentary constituencies, and party leaders are actively seeking nominations to secure key positions.
In the lead-up to the elections, major parties such as Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, along with smaller parties, are campaigning with renewed energy. Within the BNP, internal competition is apparent as multiple potential candidates vie for nominations in all three constituencies, creating divisions among party members.
Feni-1 stands out as the most significant constituency, widely recognized as a BNP stronghold. It has historically been represented by BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, who has won the seat multiple times. All three constituencies in the district are considered part of Khaleda Zia's home district, and voter discussions are largely focused on BNP and Jamaat candidates. Meanwhile, other parties, including Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party, have already announced candidates and are actively mobilising on the ground.
In contrast, the political presence of Awami League (AL) remains minimal in the district. Long-standing leaders who previously held Feni's three parliamentary seats are currently inactive, creating a noticeable void in the party's local activities.
Alal Uddin Alal, Member Secretary of Feni District BNP, said, "We have all the preparations for the election. We have been working on election preparations since August 5. Now we are waiting for the election schedule to be announced. The central committee will declare the party's candidates for the three constituencies in Feni. Before that, we are fully engaged in organizational activities at the grassroots level."
Mufti Abdul Hannan, Ameer of Feni District Jamaat, said, "We are continuing all our electoral activities in preparation for the national election. Our candidates are honest and dedicated. They are constantly reaching out to the public. Our candidates have been finalised from the beginning, so we have no issues or tension regarding candidates. We have formed central committees and finalised booth-level agents. The members of the central committees and the booth-level agents have been trained. We have completed contact with 80 per cent of the voters. We have also repaired more than a hundred bridges, culverts, and roads that were damaged by floods. We are working towards victory."
Saleh Uddin Sifat, Joint Member Secretary of Central Committee of National Citizen Party (NCP), said, "We are visiting various upazilas and unions in the district with our message of justice, reform, and a new constitution. Additionally, our members are busy with various charitable activities, including setting up flood control embankments. However, none of this is cantered on the parliamentary election. We want to build the city of martyrs, in such a way that the ruling party has to think twice before engaging in autocracy and mafia activities in the future."
Maulana Gazi Enamul Haque Bhuiyan, President of Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB)- District unit, said, "The candidates are busy with extensive grassroots campaigns and public relations in anticipation of the 13th national parliamentary election. Leaders are activating the grassroots through various programmes at the district, sub-district, municipal, and union levels to expand, preserve, and strengthen the organizational structure."
Master Ahsan Ullah, Feni District Convenor of the AB Party, said, "We are rapidly moving forward and making comprehensive preparations for the party in all three constituencies in Feni for the national parliamentary election."
Advocate Shamsuddin Majumder Sachchu, General Secretary of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD)-District unit, said, "The upcoming general election is very important because a large portion of new voters could not vote in the last few elections. For the past 16-17 years, people have not been able to speak or express their opinions. Therefore, after a long time, people are eager to vote for their preferred candidate. I hope the vote will be fair and impartial."
Advocate Bimal Chandra Sheel, President of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB)- Feni District branch, said, "No final decision has been made regarding the election yet. There will be a district council meeting next month where a decision will be made. However, CPB will welcome any democratic election. We have candidates. As soon as the party makes a decision, we will announce the names of those who will participate in the parliamentary elections."
Gono Odhikar Parishad (GOP) and Jatiya Party (JaPa) leaders are waiting for a central decision.
Motaher Hossain Chowdhury Rashed, President of District JaPa, said, " JaPa is always an election-oriented party. In accordance with the party's decision, candidates are ready for the three constituencies in the district for the upcoming national election. Our activities are being carried out accordingly. The final decision has not yet reached the district level. We are waiting for the party's decision."
Potential candidates are running campaigns to make their positions known in the lead-up to the election. Many parties are announcing their presence through posters, festoons, and public rallies on various occasions. These include NCP, IAB, JSD, CPB, AB Party, and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish. Smaller political parties are also carrying out various programmes. Many have been greeting people in their areas.
As a result, the politics of the entire district are becoming quite lively. Discussions are ongoing among political parties and the general public. Local people believe that the upcoming election will be a competitive one, unlike the long history of elections without voters.
FENI-1: This constituency is composed of Chhagalnaiya, Fulgazi, and Parshuram upazilas.
Since 1973 until 2023, no AL candidate has been elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) from this seat; it has consistently been ceded to allies.
This seat, known as a BNP stronghold, has elected BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia as MP five times. This time, voters want Khaleda Zia to be the candidate. However, if Begum Zia is unable to run due to her physical condition, there is a possibility that Rofiqul Alam Mojnu, the Convenor of Dhaka Metropolitan South BNP, will be nominated. He regularly participates in various party and social programmes.
Jamaat has declared Advocate S. M. Kamal Uddin, Member of the Central Majlis-e-Shura, as its candidate. He and his activists are trying to win the hearts of the locals through various social activities in the run-up to the next election.
Other candidates like IAB's Central Adviser Maulana Farid Uddin Al Mubarak, Khelafat Majlish's Feni unit President Maulana Nazmul Alam, JSD's District unit General Secretary Advocate Shamsuddin Majumder Sachchu, and AB Party's District Member Secretary Professor Fazlul Haque have also announced their candidates. They are carrying out their electoral activities in their respective areas.
FENI-2: The constituency encompasses Feni Sadar Upazila.
This is considered a VIP seat because the district headquarters is located here. The potential candidate being discussed is the party's chairperson's adviser and a three-time MP, Freedom Fighter Professor Zainal Abedin. Other hopefuls for the party's nomination include BNP's Central Assistant Secretary for Training Rehana Akhter Ranu, National Executive Committee Member Moshiur Rahman Biplob, and District BNP Joint Convenor Gazi Habibullah Manik. Many of them are standing by the common people in their times of joy and sorrow, keeping the activists motivated for the next election.
Jamaat has announced Professor Liaqat Ali Bhuiyan, Central Majlis-e-Shura Member, and former District Jamaat leader, as its candidate for this seat.
Additionally, Mujibur Rahman Monju, Chairman of the AB Party, is active in the area and is regularly conducting various programmes. Muhammad Ikramul Haque Bhuiyan, District Secretary of IAB; Maulana Harunur Rashid Bhuiyan, Publicity and Publication Secretary of Central Committee of Khelafat Majlish; and Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Joint Convenor of Dhaka Metropolitan North JSD have also been declared as party candidates. They are busy with various organizational and social activities in the electoral area.
FENI-3: The constituency incorporates Daganbhuiyan and Sonagazi upazilas.
From 1991, for five consecutive terms, candidates supported by the BNP (with the symbol of the Sheaf of Paddy) have been elected as MPs from this seat.
For the upcoming election, many grassroots leaders and activists want to see Abdul Awal Mintoo, former president of FBCCI and BNP's Vice-Chairman, as the candidate. Other names being heard for the party's nomination include central leader Brigadier (Retd.) Nasir Uddin Ahmed, Central Women's wing's Joint General Secretary Advocate Shahana Akhter Sanu, former joint general secretary of the Central Committee of Swechchasebak Dal Sadrej Zaman, and Akbar Hossain, Convenor of Daganbhuiyan Upazila BNP.
Jamaat has declared its candidate for this seat. Dr. Fakhruddin Manik, a Member of Jamaat's Central Majlis-e-Shura and Assistant Secretary General of Dhaka Metropolitan North, has been campaigning in the area for a long time. Additionally, the JSD (Rob) Central General Secretary Shahid Uddin Mahmud Swapon is engaged in political activities, including holding meetings, with the aim of contesting the election.
Saif Uddin Shipon, Commerce and Industry Affairs Secretary of Chattogram Metropolitan IAB, and Maulana Enamul Haque Musa, Organizing Secretary of Central Committee of Khelafat Majlish, have been declared as party candidates. They regularly participate in party and social activities in the electoral area.
