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Published : 10 Apr 2026, 09:16 PM
The BNP central office in Naya Paltan has hummed with the vibrant presence and excitement of female leaders arriving to collect nomination forms for the reserved seats in parliament.
Aspiring candidates expressed their expectations on Friday that those who remained loyal during the more than 15-year struggle against the previous “fascist” government would be prioritised for the seats.
From the morning, a sharp turnout of female activists and their supporters was observed at the party headquarters.
Between 11am and 12pm alone, over 100 forms were sold as leaders queued to secure their papers.
Tariqul Islam Tenzing, the party’s assistant office secretary, noted that more than 400 forms had been sold by 4pm.
The crowd included a diverse range of applicants, from grassroots organisers to teachers, lawyers, artists, and former student leaders.
Notable figures amongst them were Khandaker Akhtara Khatun Luna, Shirin Sultana, Helen Zerin Khan, singers Baby Naznin and Rizia Parveen, Bilkis Islam, Nipun Roy Chowdhury, Sanjida Islam Tulee, Peyara Mostafa, and Shahzadi Akhtar Papri.
Several former members of parliament were also spotted in the queue.
Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, who also serves as the prime minister's political advisor, inaugurated the distribution at 11am.
He handed the first form to Zerin Delwar Hossain, followed by Fatema Asad, wife of the founder convenor of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal Kazi Asaduzzaman Asad.
Rizvi explained that the party’s policy-making forum or parliamentary board would finalise candidates by looking at their roles in the movements over the last 16 to 17 years, alongside their parliamentary skills and other qualifications.
He urged everyone to respect the board’s decision, warning against creating an “unpleasant” environment if someone is not selected.
The price of each nomination form has been set at Tk 2,000.
Forms can be collected and submitted until Apr 12, with candidates required to deposit Tk 50,000 as security at the time of submission.
Aspirants Highlight Activism
Among those collecting forms was Khandaker Luna, daughter of former BNP secretary general Khandaker Delwar Hossain.
She said she had been involved with the party from an early age, inspired by her father, and that her entire family remained engaged in BNP politics.
She said they deeply valued the party, its founder Ziaur Rahman and leader Khaleda Zia, adding that party Chairman Tarique Rahman continued to guide them.
Luna said people in her home district of Manikganj wanted her to become a member of parliament.
Zerin expressed her desire to work for women and children, citing 30 years of experience on international platforms.
She remarked that the time for silence has passed and it is now time to speak out.
Meanwhile, Dhaka South BNP leader Arifa Sultana Ruma described herself as a victim of “political persecution”, having been active in street movements from the 1/11 era until Aug 5, 2024.
She believes her grassroots experience and legal background will allow her to serve women effectively if given the responsibility.
Lawyer Shoukat Ara Akhtar voiced her ambition to provide legal aid to helpless and neglected women in the Shariatpur region.
Similarly, singer Rizia recalled receiving awards from late president Zia as a child and later being close to Khaleda.
Dhaka city women’s wing leader Meherunnessa Haque said the moment felt like a revival after years of struggle, expressing hope of finally reaching parliament.
The Election Commission on Wednesday announced the schedule for reserved women’s seats in parliament.
The deadline for nomination submission is Apr 21, with scrutiny set for Apr 22 and Apr 23. Appeals can be filed on Apr 26, with decisions due on Apr 27 and Apr 28.
Symbols will be allocated to final candidates on Apr 30, while voting is scheduled for May 12.
Under the seat distribution, the BNP-led alliance is set to get 36 seats, Jamaat-e-Islami-aligned bloc 13 seats, while independents will receive one seat.
