Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliamentary Election is scheduled to be held in the first half of February. As the polls draw nearer, political activity has gained momentum across the country—and Cox’s Bazar is no exception. In all four constituencies of the district, potential candidates have already begun vigorous campaigning, attending party and community events daily while engaging in extensive public outreach.
Cox’s Bazar—known as the country’s premier tourist destination, where hills meet the sea—is becoming increasingly significant not only in tourism but also in the global economic landscape.
With the under-construction deep-sea port in Matarbari and the rising prospects of the blue economy, the district holds immense strategic importance. Experts point out that the area is dealing with serious issues like the Rohingya crisis and drug trafficking.
On 3 November, the BNP announced its potential candidates for three of Cox’s Bazar’s constituencies, leaving Cox’s Bazar-2 vacant for now. The party has once again placed its confidence in former MPs for the three announced seats.
Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami finalised its candidates for all four constituencies nearly a year ago. Other parties—including the NCP, AB Party, and several Islamic political groups—are also actively engaging in election preparations on the ground.
Cox’s Bazar district Jamaat’s general secretary, Zahidul Haque, confirmed that their candidate list is finalised for all four constituencies. On the other hand, Cox’s Bazar district BNP office secretary Yusuf Badri said that the candidate for Cox’s Bazar-2 will be finalised soon. He added that party leaders and activists are actively conducting campaign activities across all constituencies.
By Abdu Rashid Manik
Photo: Collected (AI)
