BNP candidate for Bhola-3 constituency and Standing Committee member Major (retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed. Photo: BSS

BHOLA, Feb 8, 2026 (BSS)- BNP candidate for Bhola-3 constituency and Standing Committee member Major (retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikram has said if elected in the coming election he would devote him to complete the unfinished development works of the coastal region alongside improving the education and healthcare services.

“I’m determined to repay the debt I owes to the people of Bhola. Iwould complete the unfinished development of this coastal region, including education and healthcare services,” he said.

Hafiz shared his thoughts on district development and various election-related issues during an interview with Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) ahead of February 12 national election.

Hafiz served as minister and state minister in the cabinet of Begum Khaleda Zia. BNP has nominated Hafiz for coming election, who since 1986, was elected for six consecutive times in the parliament from this constituency by a large margin. Born on October 29, 1944 Hafiz Uddin Ahmed was a military officer, footballer, athlete and a valiant freedom fighter. 

BSS Bhola district correspondent Al-Amin Shahriar interviewed him. Following are the excerpts from the interview.  

BSS: What is your election pledge to the voters of your constituency? 
Hafiz Uddin: The people of Lalmohan and Tazumuddin love me deeply. That is why they have elected me as an MP six times and sent me to the parliament. In the past, while serving as a minister, I carried out many development works in the area. I had plans for many more projects, but during the period of autocratic rule, it was not possible to implement.

“If I’m elected this time and if the BNP forms the government, I will complete the unfinished development works of this region,” he said. 

He added: “I owed the unconditional love of the common people of my constituency. If I’m elected, I will repay that debt to the people.”

BSS: What instructions have you given to party leaders and activists regarding compliance with the election code of conduct?
Hafiz Uddin: Our party leaders and activists always complied with the election code of conduct. They are following my instructions in a disciplined manner and adhering to the code of conduct. As a result, my constituency remains peaceful.

BSS: What is your position on the referendum regarding the July Charter?
Hafiz Uddin: If the July mass uprising had not occurred, we would not have been freed from the grip of an autocratic. The Awami League had turned the entire country into a prison. Thousands of students and citizens sacrificed their lives to free the nation from that captivity. As a result, the country and the nation have received a new Bangladesh and can dream of living anew. As a freedom fighter, I salute the heroic martyrs of the July revolution. I also believe that voters will cast their votes in favour of ‘Yes’ to protect the July Charter for building a new Bangladesh in the future.

BSS: What are your expectations for the upcoming national parliamentary election?
Hafiz Uddin: For the last 17 years, people could not give vote. This time, voters of the new generation will vote for the first time and elect representatives of their choice. I hope they can vote without obstacles and that a festive environment will prevail. At the same time, I seek everyone’s cooperation so that the law enforcement agencies can properly perform their assigned duties.

The beloved people of Lalmohan and Tazumuddin are like a family to me. In the past, they elected me as an MP with overwhelming votes and sent me to parliament repeatedly. I believe that, as before, they will once again make me victorious by a large margin. 

The Bhola-3 (117th parliamentary constituency) comprises the Lalmohan and Tazumuddin upazilas. Hafiz’s rival in this seat is Nizam-ul-Haq Naim, Secretary General of the Bangladesh Development Party (BDP), supported by Jamaat-e-Islami. 

The Islami Andolan (Hand Fan symbol) has nominated Mosleh Uddin, adviser to the party’s Bhola (South) district committee.

However, political analysts believe that in the upcoming election, the contest will be between BNP candidate Hafiz Uddin and Jamaat backed Nizam-ul-Haq Naim.

According to the latest statistics of January 2026, the total number of voters in the Bhola-3 constituency is 3,88,550 including 2,00,497 males and 1,88,050 females.