Dhaka — BNP’s Assistant International Affairs Adviser Rumin Farhana has said that survey results will not determine the outcome of the upcoming national election, asserting that the BNP is set to secure a landslide victory despite recent polls showing a rise in Jamaat-e-Islami’s support.
Speaking on a televised talk show recently, Rumin Farhana dismissed the growing reliance on opinion polls, saying that “surveys never make the difference in elections.” She emphasized that as elections approach, “every party will interpret the data in its own favor.”
Rumin noted that various survey organizations have shown BNP maintaining a strong lead, regardless of differing methodologies or sampling bases. “It’s not about the number of seats yet — what matters is that BNP is clearly ahead by a significant margin,” she added.
Referring to a recent poll showing 31% support for Jamaat-e-Islami and 41% for BNP, Rumin explained that while Jamaat’s gap has narrowed, a 10-point lead remains substantial in proportional representation terms. She compared the situation to the 2008 general election, when small percentage differences translated into a large seat gap.
She further stated that since the Awami League is currently inactive on the political ground, a segment of its traditional vote base might shift. “Some may abstain, while others could support Jamaat, NCP, or BNP’s ‘sheaf of paddy’ symbol. Everyone’s share has increased proportionally,” Rumin said.
Rumin also cautioned against overinterpreting survey fluctuations. “The current spike in Jamaat’s numbers could stem from various factors — survey region, demographics, education level, or urban-rural divide. Polls can vary widely, but the real contest — the election — often tells a very different story,” she concluded.
