Khaleda Zia was unbeaten electoral champion

Staff Reporter :

Khaleda Zia, the first female Prime Minister and Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), passed away on Tuesday at the age of 80. Renowned for her remarkable electoral success, she was never defeated in any parliamentary election, winning every seat she contested between 1991 and 2008. Her political legacy is defined by her unparalleled electoral record and her significant role in shaping Bangladesh’s political landscape.

Khaleda Zia contested in five national elections and secured victory in each one, an achievement unmatched in Bangladesh’s parliamentary history. Across 23 constituencies, she consistently triumphed, regardless of changes in electoral districts. Her name on the ballot was synonymous with victory.

In her political career, Khaleda Zia participated in the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th general elections, securing seats in numerous constituencies, including her strongholds in Bogura, Feni, Lakshmipur, and Chattogram. Each victory was a testament to her deep-rooted support base and political influence.

In the 1991 general election, Khaleda Zia contested five constituencies—Bogura-7, Dhaka-5, Dhaka-9, Feni-1, and Chattogram-8—and won all of them. Her victory paved the way for her becoming Bangladesh’s first female Prime Minister, with the BNP forming the government.

In February 1996, she contested five seats—Feni-1, Feni-2, Bogura-7, Sirajganj-2, and Rajshahi-2—and won them all. She chose to retain Feni-1, vacating the others.

In the June 1996 election and the 2001 election, she continued her electoral dominance, contesting multiple seats across Bangladesh and winning all. In the 2001 election, she secured seats in Bogura-6, Bogura-7, Feni-1, Lakshmipur-2, and Khulna-2, opting to represent Bogura-6 in Parliament.

The final election of her career came in 2008, when she contested in three constituencies—Bogura-6, Bogura-7, and Feni-1—and triumphed in all, retaining Feni-1.

Khaleda Zia’s electoral victories were often marked by significant margins, reflecting her widespread popularity and the enduring influence she wielded over her supporters.

Khaleda Zia entered politics in the early 1980s following the tragic assassination of her husband, Ziaur Rahman, the former President of Bangladesh. Initially living a private life as a housewife, her rise in politics came as she became the face of the opposition and a key figure in Bangladesh’s democratic movements. Her political journey was marked by both resilience and controversy, with her leadership of the BNP earning her a place among the most influential political figures in the country.

In the run-up to the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election, Khaleda Zia’s candidacy was eagerly awaited. Nomination papers for the Feni-1, Bogura-7, and Dinajpur-3 constituencies were submitted on 29 December, marking the final day for submission. Despite her declining health, the BNP had kept alternative contenders in place for these constituencies as part of their election strategy.

However, her death on 30 December, before the scrutiny of nomination papers could take place, has left the future of these constituencies uncertain. As per electoral law, if a candidate dies before the nomination process is finalized, the nominations submitted in their name are suspended, but the election process will continue. The party has yet to confirm who will contest these seats under its symbol.

The nomination papers for Khaleda Zia were among those submitted for Feni-1, Bogura-7, and Dinajpur-3. The next step would have been scrutiny of these nominations to determine their validity. However, with her passing, the scrutiny will not take place, and the process will be paused for her candidacy.
While there is a provision to reschedule the polls or cancel election activities if a valid candidate dies, the returning officer has indicated that the election will proceed as scheduled, with alternative BNP candidates likely to contest in the affected constituencies. The final list of valid candidates will be declared once the scrutiny process resumes, though the status of Khaleda Zia’s nominations will remain in limbo for now.
Khaleda Zia’s untimely death marks the end of an era in Bangladeshi politics. Her remarkable achievements in both electoral politics and as a leader of the BNP have left an indelible mark on the nation. Whether or not she could have continued her streak of victories in the upcoming election remains uncertain, but her legacy will undoubtedly continue to shape the future of Bangladesh’s political landscape.
As the country mourns her passing, tributes have poured in from political figures, leaders, and supporters who recall her as a fighter for democracy, a mother to the nation, and a leader who defied all odds to carve her place in history.