52 file nomination papers for BNP's reserved women's seats

The day after the election schedule for the reserved women's seats of the 13th Parliament was announced, 52 women have filed nomination papers, all of whom have filed forms under the BNP identity, said Assistant Returning Officer Mohammad Monir Hossain.

According to the schedule, voting for the 50 reserved women's seats will be held on May 12. Nominations can be submitted by April 21. Selection of nominations is on April 22 and 23 and the last date for withdrawal is April 29.

BNP formed the government with an absolute majority after winning 209 seats in the February 12 election. Its three allied parties got three seats. The opposition includes Jamaat-e-Islami (68 seats), NCP (6 seats) and two other alliance partners.

In terms of representation in parliament, BNP and its allies will get 36, Jamaat-e-Islami alliance 13 and Swatwara alliance 1 reserved women's seat.

Returning Officer Moin Uddin Khan said that anyone - candidate, proposer or supporter - can collect nomination papers. A deposit of Tk 20,000 along with prescribed documents must be submitted at the time of submission.

Notable among those collecting nomination papers on the first day was Irene Mahbub, the eldest daughter of former Election Commissioner Mahbub Talukder and a member of the Supreme Court Nationalist Lawyers Forum.