52 collect nomination papers for reserved women’s seats in parliament

On the first day after the Election Commission (EC) announced the schedule, 52 aspiring candidates have obtained nomination papers for the 50 reserved women’s seats in parliament.

All those who collected forms identified themselves as aspirants from the ruling BNP, according to Assistant Returning Officer Mohammad Monir Hossain.

The election is slated for May 12.

The submission deadline is Apr 21. The scrutiny will take place from Apr 22 to Apr 23. The withdrawal deadline is Apr 29.

Following the Feb 12 general election, seat allocation for the reserved seats is based on proportional representation in parliament.

The BNP and its allies are entitled to 36 seats, while the Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance will receive 13 seats.

The remaining one seat goes to the independent bloc.

If parties nominate only as many candidates as their allotted seats, the aspirants will be declared elected unopposed.

Among the individuals seeking a BNP ticket is Irene Mahbub, a Supreme Court lawyer and the eldest daughter of late election commissioner Mahbub Talukder.

"I have been a member of the Nationalist Lawyers' Forum and have actively handled many cases for the BNP," Irene said.

"It was also my father’s wish. I hope the party will nominate me."

Candidates are required to submit their nomination papers along with a security deposit of Tk 20,000 and an affidavit detailing their assets and background.

The returning officer noted that while many aspirants collected forms personally, others did so through representatives or party officials.

The BNP secured a landslide victory in the February polls, winning 209 seats to form the government, while its former ally Jamaat took the lead in the opposition with 68 seats.