Habiba Begum, an independent candidate contesting from Rajshahi-3 in Bangladesh’s general elections, has become the center of national attention because of her unconventional and gritty campaign style. Arrested seven times during former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s tenure, Habiba is now traveling village to village on an e-rickshaw, campaigning without party backing—often with a child in her lap.

Her journey to the ballot paper was anything but smooth. On January 21, when election symbols were allotted, Habiba’s nomination was rejected, and her appeal was dismissed as well. Refusing to give up, she approached the High Court, which finally granted her relief late on January 27, allotting her the football symbol.

A total of six candidates are in the fray from Rajshahi-3, but Habiba stands out as the only woman candidate in the entire Rajshahi district.

Grassroots campaign without pomp

Habiba began her campaign from Singhomara village in the Mohanpur upazila. So far, she has covered nearly 20 kilometers, not with flashy convoys or party banners, but through direct interaction with voters. Along with her husband Masood Rana and their child, she moves around in a battery-run auto-rickshaw, often getting down to walk through markets and tea stalls, personally asking people for their votes.

Who is Habiba Begum?

Habiba is no stranger to politics—or controversy. During the Awami League government, six cases were filed against her, leading to seven jail terms. Two of those cases are still pending in court. She recalls that the first case was filed in 2011, when she was just 23 years old, even though the legal age to contest elections was 25 at the time.

She previously served as Women’s Affairs Secretary of the Mohanpur Upazila Krishak League, was elected from a reserved women’s seat in the Union Council, and later became Upazila Women Vice President. However, she was removed from that post after August 2024.

Fighting elections on personal sacrifice

Habiba speaks candidly about the financial strain of contesting elections. She says her husband had to mortgage land worth 1.70 lakh taka, and may need to do so again to meet expenses. Despite the hardships, Habiba remains confident, insisting that public support is firmly behind her.