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Published : 08 Apr 2026, 02:08 AM
Discussions are under way over party nominations for the 50 reserved women’s seats in the parliament, as allocation among political blocs has been finalised.
The ruling BNP-led alliance is set to secure 36 seats, while the opposition Jamaat-e-Islami-led bloc will get 13.
Independents will receive one seat.
The Election Commission has scheduled the election for May 12.
However, candidates are likely to be elected unopposed if the number of nominees matches the allocated seats for each party or alliance.
Under the rules, if valid nominations equal the number of allocated seats and no candidate withdraws, the Election Commission Secretariat declares them elected uncontested and issues a gazette notification.
This has triggered discussions within parties over who will receive nominations.
Election Commission Secretary Akhter Ahmed said on Monday that the schedule for the reserved seats election would be announced on Wednesday, including dates for nomination submission, scrutiny and withdrawal.
The process follows the Feb 12 general election, held about one and a half years after the Aug 5, 2024 mass uprising that led to the fall of the Awami League government and the formation of an interim administration.
A referendum on the July Charter was also held the same day.
The gazette for the general election results was published the following day.
By law, the reserved seats election must be completed within 90 days of the gazette.
Under existing provisions, reserved seats for women are distributed proportionally based on the number of seats won by parties in the general election.
Members elected to general seats vote to elect MPs to the reserved seats.
Seat Allocation Breakdown
In the 13th parliamentary election, BNP won 209 seats.
Its allies -- Gono Odhikar Parishad, Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP), and Ganosamhati Andolan -- secured one seat each under seat-sharing arrangements.
Jamaat-e-Islami, with 68 seats, became the main opposition.
Its alliance partners in the “11-party electoral alliance” include National Citizen Party (NCP) with six seats, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis with two, and Khelafat Majlis with one.
Islami Andolan Bangladesh secured one seat, while independent candidates won seven seats.
Gazette notifications for Chattogram-2 and Chattogram-4 remain pending due to court orders. Voting in Sherpur-3 and Bogura-6 is scheduled for Thursday.
Election officials said the outcomes of these four seats will not affect the distribution of reserved women’s seats.
According to EC Deputy Secretary Mohammad Monir Hossain, the proportional allocation gives 36 seats to the BNP-led alliance, 13 to the Jamaat-led bloc, and one to independents.
For the election, an official of joint secretary rank will serve as returning officer, with a deputy secretary-ranked official as assistant returning officer.
Nomination papers must be submitted at the EC headquarters in Dhaka's Agargaon as per the announced schedule.
Monir Hossain said on Tuesday that a voter list of 296 MPs has already been published, and the schedule will be announced on Wednesday.
He added that parties and alliances will nominate candidates in line with their allocated seats.
Potential Candidates for BNP-led Alliance
Several BNP central leaders told bdnews24.com that the party will finalise nominations for reserved seats at a meeting of its parliamentary nomination board or standing committee after the EC announces the schedule.
Nomination forms may be released beforehand.
In the Feb 12 general election, BNP directly nominated its candidates.
Some leaders believe the party’s top leadership may follow the same approach for reserved seats.
Discussions with multiple BNP leaders suggest a number of names are being considered.
These include Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Mohila Dal President Afroza Abbas, Senior Joint Secretary Helen Jerin Khan, central leader Shammi Akther, former MP Nilufar Chowdhury Moni, Rehana Akter Ranu, defeated candidate Sunsila Jabrin Priyanka, Sabira Sultana, Sanjida Islam Tulee, and Chowdhury Nadira Akter.
Others under discussion are singer Baby Naznin; Hasna Jasimuddin Moudud, wife of late leader Moudud Ahmed; Salima Talukder Aruni, daughter of former secretary general Abdus Salam Talukder; Shakila Farzana, daughter of former whip Syed Wahidul Alam; Khadijatul Kobra Sumaiya or another member of former secretary general Khandaker Delwar Hossain’s family; Dhaka district BNP General Secretary Nipun Roy Chowdhury; and Dhaka North BNP Joint Convenor Ferdousi Ahmed Misti.
Further names include Khairun Nahar, former vice president of Badrunnesa Government College unit of Chhatra Dal and convenor in Pabna’s Santhia Upazila; BNP media cell member Mahmuda Habiba; Mohila Dal Joint Self-Reliance Affairs Secretary Asma Aziz; Newaz Halima Arly; BNP Assistant International Affairs Secretary Fahima Nasrin Munni; Nasima Akhter Kalpana, wife of former MP Nasiruddin Pintu; Sabrina Shuvra, wife of Gopalganj-1 MP Selimuzzaman Selim; Mahreen Khan, daughter of standing committee member Abdul Moyeen Khan; and Bithika Binte Hossain, wife of late Swechhasebak Dal leader Shafiul Bari Babu.
Among other potential candidates are Selina Hossain, former VP of Ruqayyah Hall Chhatra Dal at Dhaka University; Najma Sultana Jhankar, former VP of Cumilla Government Women’s College; DU teachers Prof Tajmeri SA Islam and Prof Tahmina Begum; Jahangirnagar University teacher Nahreen I Khan; Syeda Tajnin Waris Simki; journalist Kazi Jesin; Fatema Binte Doha, wife of Gazipur BNP leader Shah Reazul Hannan; Chhatra Dal leader Dalia Rahman; DU Chhatra Dal leader Mansura Akter; dancer and choreographer Farhana Chowdhury Baby; and Sabrina Khan, daughter of late London BNP leader Kamaruddin Ahmed.
An official at the BNP chairperson’s office said some “well-known” figures from different professions may also be nominated.
Two of those discussed declined to comment when contacted.
BNP media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan told bdnews24.com that the process of selecting candidates would begin after the election schedule is announced.
A senior BNP leader said the party leadership may also nominate candidates from allied groups that participated in joint movements.
An official said names from allied parties under discussion include Rebeka Nila of Nari Sanghati, widow of Bangladesh Chhatra Federation leader Ariful Islam who was killed in a road crash; Jagannath University teacher Shamali Shill; defeated candidate and Ganosamhati Andolan leader Taslima Akhter; Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal Vice-President Tania Rob; and Meher Nigar and Nilom Manna, wife and daughter of Mahmudur Rahman Manna.
However, a Ganosamhati Andolan central committee member said the chances of nominations from their party or Nari Sanghati remain slim.
Ganosamhati Andolan leader Zonayed Saki currently serves as state minister for planning in the BNP-led government, while his wife Taslima Akhter was a member of the Labour Reform Commission.
Potential Candidates for Jamat-led Alliance
The Jamaat-led alliance is set to receive 13 reserved seats after securing 77 seats in the general election, shared among Jamaat, NCP, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis and Khelafat Majlis.
Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Joint Secretary General Ataullah Ameen said Jamaat would get 11 seats, while Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis and NCP would receive one each.
A Jamaat central working committee member said senior leaders from the party’s women’s wing are being prioritised for nominations.
A Dhaka South Jamaat leader said nominations may also go to family members of those killed or injured in the July-August movement, as well as women teachers who supported the party.
An NCP central leader told bdnews24.com that joint member secretaries Mahmuda Mitu and Monira Sharmin are likely candidates from the party.
