20 Gen Z hopefuls eye victory in polls
Staff Reporter:
Following the collapse of the Awami League government, young people appear to have taken on a more prominent role in national politics—an engagement reflected in the upcoming national election scheduled for 12 February.
The youths who spearheaded the July 2024 Uprising that led to the ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina largely belong to Generation Z, commonly known as Gen Z.
According to the Election Commission’s final list of candidates, at least 20 contenders from this generation are running in the election. Gen Z typically includes individuals born between 1997 and 2012, making them the youngest cohort eligible to contest parliamentary seats, as candidates must be at least 25 years old under existing law.
Among these young aspirants, eight are representing the NCP, a political platform that emerged in the aftermath of the July Uprising. Others are contesting under banners such as Gono Odhikar Parishad, Bangladesh Socialist Party, Insaniyat Biplob Bangladesh, and the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB).
At least five of the Gen Z candidates are women.
Many of these candidates concede that they are entering the race with significant structural disadvantages. Compared to established parties, they lack organisational networks, manpower, and financial resources, with several relying largely on crowdfunding to sustain their campaigns.
Despite these limitations, they believe their age and political engagement resonate strongly with younger voters, who make up a substantial segment of the electorate.
An analysis of affidavits submitted to the Election Commission shows that at least 25 candidates are below the age of 28, meaning they were born after 1997.
In terms of party affiliation, eight Gen Z candidates are from the NCP, followed by four from Gono Odhikar Parishad, three from Insaniyat Bangladesh, two from the Bangladesh Socialist Party (Marxist), and one each from the Bangladesh Socialist Party, Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party, CPB, Bangladesh Nationalist Front, Am Janatar Dal, Bangladesh Minority Janata Party, and Bangladesh Khilafat Majlish.
The NCP is contesting the election as part of an alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami. Its convener, Nahid Islam, 27, is running from Dhaka-11. Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain, 28, is contesting Rangpur-4, while Chief Organiser (South) Hasnat Abdullah, 27, is contesting from Cumilla-4 and Chief Organiser (North) Sarjis Alam, 27, from Panchagarh-1.
Other NCP candidates include Abdul Hannan Masud, 26, from Noakhali-6; Md Mahbub Alam, 28, from Lakshmipur-1; SM Saif Mostafiz, 28, from Sirajganj-6; and Abdur Rahman, 27, from Shariatpur-1. Although Abdur Rahman could not formally withdraw his nomination, he later stepped aside in favour of the alliance, according to Saif Mostafiz.
From Gono Odhikar Parishad, Md Bin Yamin Molla, 28, is contesting from Kurigram-1. He was actively involved in the July Uprising.
“Because I was on the front lines of the movement, people in my area recognise me,” he told Media. “They are also aware of the torture I went through. When I organise street meetings in local markets, people willingly stop to listen.”
Referring to Kurigram’s long-standing problems, he said people respond attentively when he speaks about their everyday struggles.
Admitting the tough electoral landscape, he said he lacks the organisational strength and financial backing enjoyed by parties like the BNP and other major players.
He identified social media as his primary means of reaching young voters, with campaign priorities centred on job creation, industrial growth, land-port–based trade, and curbing drugs and gambling.
Other Gen Z candidates from Gono Odhikar Parishad include Md Sazzad, 26, from Dhaka-3; Md Mamunur Rashid Mamun, 28, from Thakurgaon-3; and Abduz Zaher, 27, from Noakhali-4.
From the Socialist Party (Marxist), Shahinur Akhter Sumi, 27, is contesting from Dhaka-5 and began grassroots campaigning in her constituency even before the election schedule was announced.
“I’m receiving a very positive response, particularly from women and young voters,” she said. “I go door to door, and women openly share their concerns with me.”
“This generation is brave, rational, and politically aware. I don’t believe they will cast their votes for the wrong candidates,” she added.
She acknowledged the difficulties of running as a woman candidate in a conservative social environment but stressed that participation remains essential.
Other Gen Z women candidates include Moon Tahar Begum, 28, from Noakhali-5, and Kamrun Nahar Sathi, 25, from Cumilla-6.
Several other young candidates are also contesting under Insaniyat Bangladesh, the Socialist Party, CPB, and other smaller political platforms.
Many of them argue that decades of conventional politics have yielded little more than inequality and deprivation, prompting voters to reassess long-standing party loyalties.