Chormonai Pir Foyzul Karim Suffers Heavy Defeat in Two Seats

Senior Naib-e-Amir of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Mufti Syed Mohammad Foyzul Karim, faced major setbacks in the 13th National Parliamentary Election. Contesting in two key seats—Barishal-05 and Barishal-06—he was defeated in both. In particular, in Bakerganj (Barishal-06), he received far fewer votes than the Jamaat-e-Islami candidate, finishing in third place, causing widespread disappointment among the party's supporters.

In Barishal-05, BNP heavyweight candidate Advocate Mojibur Rahman Sarwar, running under the Dhon-er Shish (rice sheaf) symbol, reportedly won with 130,006 votes. Foyzul Karim, contesting under the Haatpakha (hand fan) symbol, secured 93,216 votes. The total number of voters in this seat was 468,569, with a voter turnout of approximately 48%. While Foyzul Karim's vote count was respectable, it was insufficient to secure a victory against Sarwar's overwhelming margin.

In Barishal-06 Bakerganj, Foyzul Karim’s performance was even more disappointing. Former BNP MP Abul Hosen Khan won the seat with 81,087 votes. His nearest rival, Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Md. Mahamudunnabi (Daripalla symbol), received 54,533 votes to claim second place. Chormonai Pir Foyzul Karim managed only 28,823 votes, placing third. This result was officially announced by Bakerganj Upazila Assistant Returning Officer Rumana Afroze.

After suffering significant defeats in both seats, a sense of mourning has descended among Islami Andolan Bangladesh supporters. Political analysts suggest that the consolidation of opposition votes under BNP’s Dhon-er Shish symbol and falling behind Jamaat in vote division were the main reasons for Foyzul Karim’s heavy losses. Despite Barishal being considered a stronghold of the party, this election proved that retaining it was not possible. Party policymakers are now focused on analyzing the causes of the defeat.