EC declares BNP’s 36 women candidates valid

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has declared valid the nominations of all 36 women candidates nominated by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) for reserved parliamentary seats in the upcoming 13th National Parliament election.

In addition, one candidate from a “independent alliance” was also found eligible during scrutiny, while three independent candidates were disqualified, officials said on Thursday (April 23).

Earlier, BNP finalized its list of 36 women candidates for reserved seats on April 20. The list was announced at a press briefing at the party’s central office in Nayapaltan, Dhaka, by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.

Those whose nominations have been validated are Selima Rahman, Shirin Sultana, Rasheda Begum Hira, Rehana Akhter Ranu, Newaz Halima Arli, Mosa. Farida Yasmin, Bilkis Islam, Sakila Farzana, Helen Jerin Khan, Nilofar Chowdhury Moni, Nipun Roy Chowdhury, Jiba Amina Khan, Mahmuda Habiba, Mosa. Sabira Sultana, Sansila Zebrin, Sanjida Islam Tuli, Sultana Ahmed, Fahmida Haque, Anna Minz, Suborna Sikder (Thakur), Shamim Ara Begum Swapna, Mosammat Shammi Akhter, Ferdousi Ahmed, Bitika Binte Hossain, Mosa. Suraiya Zerin, Mansura Akhter, Zaharat Adib Chowdhury, Momtaz Alo, Fahima Nasrin, Arifa Sultana, Ms. Sanjida Yasmin, Nadia Pathan Papon, Shawkat Ara Akhter, Madhavi Marma, Selina Sultana and Rezeka Sultana.

According to the EC schedule, nomination papers for reserved seats were submitted by April 21, while scrutiny took place on April 22 and 23. Appeals against the scrutiny decision can be filed on April 26 and will be settled between April 27 and 28. The final deadline for withdrawal of candidacy is April 29, and symbols will be allocated on April 30.

Voting for the reserved women’s seats is scheduled for May 12.

Bangladesh’s 350-member parliament includes 50 seats reserved for women, with 36 seats allocated to the BNP-led alliance under the current arrangement.