Bangladeshi-origin candidates join race in France’s municipal elections

The first round of France’s municipal elections is set to take place on 15 March, with the second round scheduled for 22 March.

At least six French citizens of Bangladeshi origin are contesting for the posts of deputy mayor and municipal councillor in this year’s elections, creating renewed enthusiasm within the Bangladeshi community in the country.

Community leaders say the growing participation of Bangladeshis in local politics will not only strengthen representation of the diaspora but also provide an opportunity to raise community concerns related to education, housing, employment and cultural activities.

Rabbani Khan seeks re-election

Rabbani Khan, a well-known community figure and businessman, is contesting again for the position of municipal councillor from Stains, a suburb of Paris.

In the 2020 election, he was elected as a councillor as a French citizen of Bangladeshi origin.

Khan has long been active in the community, particularly in promoting French language education and assisting migrants with administrative matters. He is once again contesting from the panel of incumbent mayor Azzedine Taïbi.

Nayon NK running for deputy mayor

Social worker and politician Nayon NK is contesting from the Vigneux-sur-Seine area in the Île-de-France region under the “Vigneux Solidaire et Populaire” panel, supported by the La France Insoumise political party. He is also running as a candidate for deputy mayor.

Through his organisation “SAF”, which he founded, Nayon has been providing various community services free of charge for years.

“Bangladeshis are no longer just expatriates,” Nayon told journalists. “As active citizens of France, we are ready to contribute to building society. Representation in local councils will help us raise the real issues faced by the community.”

Akash Barua in mainstream politics

Entrepreneur Akash Barua is contesting for the councillor’s post in La Courneuve under the panel of Nadia Chaboun, supported by the local Communist Party.

According to him, participation of French politicians of Bangladeshi origin in mainstream politics can help strengthen trade, education and cultural ties between France and Bangladesh.

Abdus Samad in Vigneux-sur-Seine

Another candidate from the same area is Abdus Samad, who is contesting for the councillor’s position under a La France Insoumise-supported panel.

Nasir Uddin Bhuiyan in La Courneuve

Banker Nasir Uddin Bhuiyan is running for councillor from La Courneuve under the panel of mayoral candidate Omarou Dokouré. He says his main objective is to represent the interests of residents in this immigrant-populated area.

Jubayed Ahmed enters the race

Jubayed Ahmed, a player of the France national cricket team, is contesting from Ivry-sur-Seine under the panel of Philippe Bouyssou. Representing civil society, he is participating in the election as part of the Front Populaire alliance.

Saruf Sodiol again in Saint-Denis

Saruf Sodiol is also contesting again from Saint-Denis. He first drew attention during the 2020 municipal elections when he ran for office for the first time. In this election, he is running under the panel of incumbent mayor Mathieu Hanotin.

Altogether, at least seven candidates of Bangladeshi origin are contesting from different municipalities this year. In the previous municipal election in 2020, around 15 candidates of Bangladeshi origin took part.

No female candidate this time

Although political participation among the Bangladeshi community in France has gradually increased, there is no female candidate of Bangladeshi origin in this year’s municipal election.

Community sources say that while Bangladeshis have taken part in local elections over the years, women’s participation remains very limited. Many in the community believe that greater encouragement is needed to increase the involvement of Bangladeshi women in local politics in the future.

France’s municipal election system

France has local governments in around 35,000 communes. Voters directly elect municipal councillors, who later elect the mayor from among themselves.

If a list secures more than 50% of the vote in the first round, it receives half of the council seats as a “majority bonus”, with the remaining seats distributed proportionally. If no list secures an outright majority in the first round, a second round of voting is held.

Administratively, France is divided into 18 regions, 101 departments and more than 34,000 communes. The capital Paris, located in the Île-de-France region, also follows the same municipal election system, ensuring a uniform and structured local governance framework across the country.