BNP finalises 36 women candidates for reserved seats in parliament

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has finalised a list of 36 candidates for the reserved women’s seats in the 13th National Parliament.

The party is expected to formally publish the list and submit it to the Election Commission (EC) on Monday (April 20), according to party officials.

Party sources said the list was prepared after extensive scrutiny, combining both experienced leaders and emerging figures from within the organisation.

Among the most discussed names are former MP Helen Zerin Khan, Nilofar Chowdhury Moni, Shammi Akhtar, Rehana Akhter Ranu and Sultana Ahmed.

Several new faces have also been included, including Bithika Binte Hossain, Barrister Shakila Farzana, Ferdousi Ahmed Misti, Arifa Sultana Ruma, Sansila Zebrin Priyanka, Sanzida Islam Tuli, Mahmuda Habiba and Sabira Nazmul.

Cultural figures Kanak Chapa and Baby Naznin have also been widely discussed for inclusion.

Earlier, BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman led interviews with nomination seekers from 10 organisational divisions at the party’s Gulshan office over two days.

Around 850 female leaders participated in the interviews, after which the final list was prepared through verification and assessment.

Senior Standing Committee members and the party’s nomination board were present during the interviews.

Meanwhile, the EC has collected nomination papers from 431 candidates over the past 12 days for the reserved women’s seats, with BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami and Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis among the participating parties.

According to Assistant Returning Officer and EC Deputy Secretary Md. Monir Hossain, only three candidates had submitted their nomination papers by Sunday evening — Sanzida Islam Tuli, Nilofar Chowdhury Moni and Mahbuba Rahman — all from BNP.

EC data shows BNP collected 417 nomination forms, Jamaat-e-Islami 13, and Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis one form for the reserved seats election process.

According to the Election Commission’s schedule, the deadline for submission of nomination papers for reserved women’s seats is April 21, while voting will be held on May 12.