Parties file for women seats, JP 'rebel' too

Dhaka, Mar 12 (bdnews24.com)—The three major parties filed nominations for women's reserved seats, for what could be the last time, on Thursday.

A government spokesperson said Thursday the constitution would be amended in due course. Syed Ashraful Islam told reporters: "This is the last time (we are choosing our women MPs this way)."

Of the 45 reserved seats distributed on basis of the parties' strengths in the House, the BNP got five while Jatiya Party for four.

The Election Commission set Mar 12 as last day for nominations, March 15 is set for scrutiny, March 19 for final pull-outs.

March 30 was set as the polling date, but the selections will be uncontested for all 45 seats.

JP names 4, 'rebel' also files

The Jatiya Party named its nominees for women MPs Thursday, and the list included an owner-editor of a newspaper and wife of the party's secretary general.

"Chairman HM Ershad has finally nominated Noor-e-Hasna Lily Chowdhury, Nasrin Jahan Ratna, Salma Islam and Mahjabeen Morshed," said secretary general Ruhul Amin Howladar.

Ratna is Howladar's wife and Salma Islam is editor-publisher of daily Jugantor.

Necessary papers were handed to EC officials around noon, Howlader said.

However, JP's Merina Rahman also submitted a form to the commission though she did not get a party ticket.

Returning officer Jasmine Tuli said the 'rebel' candidate's nomination would be cancelled if Ershad did not back it.

AL's 36

The Awami League's 36 women candidates are: Ashrafunnesa Mosharraf, Jahanara begum, Shahida Tarekh Dipti, Alhaj Shafiya Khatun, Asma Jerin Jhumu, Momtaz Begum, Tarana Halim, Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury, Faridun Nahar Laili, Rubi Khatun, Jobeda Khatun (Parul), Amena Ahmed, Chemon Ara Taiyab, Ethinob Rakhaine, Farida Rahman, Noor Afroz Ali, Noor Jahan Begum, Dr. Hamida Banu Shobha, Sultana Bulbul, Saleha Mosharraf, Rawshan Jahan Sathi, Jebunnesa Haque, Tohura Ali, Shahin Monowara Haque, Nazma Akhtar, Apu Ukil, Mahfuja Rahman Rima, Sadhona Haldar, Prof. Jinnatunnesa Talukdar, Principal Khadija Khatun Shephali, Shephali Momtaz Shawkat Ara Begum, Farida Rahman Hira, Ahmed Nazneen Sultana (Nazlee), Alhaz Momtaj Begum and Parveen Talukdar.

BNP's five

Shammi Akhtar, Rehana Akhtar Ranu, Rasheda Begum Hira, Nilufa Chowdhury Moni and Syeda Asifa Ashrafi Papiya are BNP's final pick.

Of the nominees, BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia included Moni anew in the list Thursday, excluding Bilkis Akhter Jahan.

A BNP standing committee meeting had nominated Bilkis on Tuesday as one of the five.

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