Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has announced Delwar Hossain as its candidate for the Thakurgaon-1 by-election, after the seat became vacant following BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir’s election as president. The candidacy was formally announced on Sunday, August 30, at a gathering of party officials at the Thakurgaon district Jamaat office.

Jamaat central Assistant Secretary General and Rangpur-Dinajpur regional director Maulana Abdul Halim made the announcement. He said Delwar was selected as the nominee of an 11-party alliance under a central decision. Delwar is assistant secretary of Dhaka metropolitan south Jamaat and a former president of ইসলামী ছাত্রশিবির.

Abdul Halim said elections are the main means of establishing democracy and that Jamaat has decided to participate in all elections. He expressed hope that the alliance candidate would win if the election is neutral and voters can cast ballots freely. Delwar also contested the February 12 parliamentary election as Jamaat’s candidate. The Election Commission is expected to announce the by-election schedule soon.