Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has dismissed widespread social media speculation claiming that popular Islamic scholar Dr Mizanur Rahman Azhari has been nominated as the party’s candidate for Dhaka-5 (Jatrabari–Demra) in the upcoming national election.

Rumours circulated from Wednesday afternoon through various Facebook posts and informal online channels suggesting that Azhari had replaced Jamaat’s previously declared candidate, Mohammad Kamal Hossain. The posts quickly gained traction, prompting many users to congratulate the preacher.

However, Jamaat clarified that no such decision had been made.

In a statement posted on the Jamaat Dhaka City South’s official Facebook page, the party said none of its previously nominated candidates in the region had been changed.

The post reaffirmed the existing candidates— Syed Zainul Abedin for Dhaka-4, Mohammad Kamal Hossain for Dhaka-5, Dr Md Abdul Mannan for Dhaka-6, Hafiz Enayetullah for Dhaka-7, Dr Md Helal Uddin for Dhaka-8, Kabir Ahmed for Dhaka-9 and Md Jasim Uddin Sarkar for Dhaka-10.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday evening, Ehsan Mahbub Zubair, Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General and head of its media wing, termed the claim about Azhari’s nomination “a rumour,” adding that there is “no possibility” of such a move.

He urged the public to stay alert against misinformation and refrain from accepting or sharing any political-related claims without proper verification.