In the Chattogram-12 (Patiya) constituency for the 13th National Parliamentary Election, Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Dr. Faridul Alam withdrew his candidacy on Saturday night to support Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) nominee M. Ayakub Ali. The decision was made at an emergency meeting of the Chattogram South District Jamaat office, where leaders confirmed that the move aimed to preserve the unity of the 11-party alliance. Although Dr. Alam will withdraw, the Election Commission stated that his symbol, the balance scale, will remain on the ballot as symbols have already been allocated.

Earlier, the Election Commission had declared M. Ayakub Ali’s nomination invalid, prompting him to seek legal recourse. Following a High Court directive on January 22, his candidacy was reinstated, and he received his election symbol the next day. Dr. Alam had already begun campaigning before the alliance’s central decision to support the LDP candidate.

Local Jamaat and LDP leaders said the decision was taken in the broader interest of the alliance, pledging to work together to secure victory for the LDP in Patiya.