In the highly watched contest for the Barisal-3 constituency, covering Muladi and Babuganj, Barrister Asaduzzaman Bhuiyan, popularly known as Barrister Fuad and representing the Amar Bangladesh Party, has been defeated by the BNP’s candidate Zainal Abedin by a margin of over 21,000 votes, according to unofficial results.
The official declaration was made on Thursday, 12 February, by Asma Ul Husna, Executive Officer of Babuganj Upazila and Assistant Returning Officer. The constituency witnessed a keenly contested election, attracting widespread attention due to Fuad’s high profile and previous prominence in local politics.
Based on the results from 126 polling centres, Zainal Abedin, symbolised by the Boat, secured 78,131 votes, while Fuad, representing the Eagle, received 57,149 votes. The difference of 20,982 votes underscores a clear victory for the BNP candidate, reflecting a significant voter preference in this region.
Voting Statistics for Barisal-3
| Candidate | Party | Symbol | Votes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zainal Abedin | BNP | Boat | 78,131 |
| Asaduzzaman Bhuiyan (Barrister Fuad) | Amar Bangladesh Party | Eagle | 57,149 |
The Barisal-3 constituency comprises a total of 310,092 registered voters. Among them, 156,846 are male, 153,245 are female, and there is one registered voter of the third gender. These figures illustrate a nearly balanced electorate by gender, highlighting the critical role of inclusive voter engagement in shaping election outcomes.
Political analysts have noted that while Barrister Fuad enjoyed significant popularity due to his past work and high media profile, the BNP’s sustained organisational presence and strong grassroots campaigning appear to have been decisive in securing Abedin’s victory. The result is also seen as part of broader regional political trends, with Barisal historically serving as a key battleground for party influence in southern Bangladesh.
Despite the defeat, Fuad has publicly congratulated his opponent and pledged to continue serving his constituency in various capacities, signalling a commitment to political engagement beyond electoral success. The focus now turns to the implementation of the BNP’s promises in Barisal-3 and how opposition parties respond in the coming months.