Former MP MAH Selim Cleared for Triple Candidacy

In a rare and significant electoral development, the Chief Returning Officer of Bagerhat has officially validated the nomination papers of MAH Selim for three separate parliamentary constituencies. The former Member of Parliament and former President of the Bagerhat District BNP is set to contest the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Elections as an independent candidate in Bagerhat-1, Bagerhat-2, and Bagerhat-3, making him the only candidate in the country currently cleared to run for three seats simultaneously.

The validation was confirmed on Saturday, 3 January 2026, at the Bagerhat Deputy Commissioner’s office following a rigorous scrutiny process. Supporters and activists gathered in large numbers to celebrate the decision, which allows Selim to vie for seats covering the upazilas of Chitalmari, Mollahat, Fakirhat, Kachua, Mongla, Rampal, and the Bagerhat Sadar.

Candidate Profile: MAH Selim’s Electoral Reach

A veteran politician and the proprietor of the Silver Line Group, MAH Selim is perhaps best remembered for his 2001 electoral triumph, where he unseated the heavyweight Awami League candidate Sheikh Helal Uddin. Speaking to the press following the validation of his papers, Selim expressed deep gratitude and reaffirmed his commitment to the region. “I view politics solely as a medium for public service,” he stated. “My focus remains on industrialisation, creating modern employment opportunities for our youth, and upgrading the healthcare and education sectors.”

While Selim is contesting as an independent, he was careful to emphasize his continued ideological alignment with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. He described himself as a follower of the ideals of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman and a recipient of Begum Khaleda Zia’s blessings. Addressing his recent period of political hiatus, he noted, “I may have been physically distant from the party’s central leadership for a time, but I have never been distant from the hearts of the people of Bagerhat.”

His decision to contest three seats is seen by many as a strategic move to reassert his dominance in the coastal district. Selim believes his past record of infrastructure development will resonate with voters across all three constituencies. As the election season intensifies, his triple-candidacy serves as a litmus test for the enduring influence of established local leaders in the post-transition political landscape.