In the 13th national election, Jamaat-e-Islami candidates in Jhalakathi-1 and Jhalakathi-2 constituencies failed to win but achieved a remarkable increase in votes, signaling a potential shift in local and national politics. In Jhalakathi-1, Jamaat candidate Dr. Fayzul Haque lost to BNP’s Rafiqul Islam Jamal by only 6,890 votes, securing 55,120 votes compared to Jamal’s 62,010. In Jhalakathi-2, Jamaat’s Sheikh Niamul Karim received 70,556 votes, though BNP’s Israt Sultana Ellen Bhutto won by a margin of about 44,000.

According to local Jamaat sources, both constituencies were initially rated low in internal surveys, but public support grew rapidly after candidate changes and intensified campaigning. Historical data show Jamaat’s vote count in Jhalakathi-1 rose from under 2,000 in 1991 to over 55,000 in 2026. Party leaders attributed the surge to expanded grassroots organization and improved public perception. However, they cited incidents of polling agents being expelled and threats to minority voters as factors behind their losses.

Observers believe the strong performance could position Jamaat advantageously in upcoming municipal elections, particularly in Jhalakathi town where the party nearly matched BNP’s vote share.