Women’s forum calls for 33% female candidates in parliamentary elections

Maheen Sultan, a member of the Women’s Reform Commission, says they seek to ensure equal dignity for women voters, candidates and citizens

The Forum for Women’s Political Rights has submitted six demands to the Election Commission, including a mandatory requirement for political parties to nominate 33 percent female candidates in parliamentary elections.

Ahead of the national elections, the platform of women’s organisations called for electoral law reforms to ensure these demands are met.

On Tuesday, forum representatives presented their proposals during a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at the Nirbachan Bhaban in Agargaon, Dhaka.

The delegation, led by Maheen Sultan, a member of the Women’s Reform Commission, included Sadaf Saaz Siddiqi, executive council member of Naripokkho; Shima Dutta, president of Bangladesh Nari Mukti Kendra; and Shyamoli Shil, chair of Nari Sanghati.

Four election commissioners -- Abdur Rahmanel Masud, Tahmida Ahmad, Md Anwarul Islam Sarker, and Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah -- along with EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed also attended.

The six demands included compulsory nomination of women candidates, leadership positions for women in party structures, allocation of campaign funds equal to expenditure limits, policies to prevent online and offline harassment, direct elections to reserved seats in parliament, and inclusion of a “no” vote in all constituencies. A written submission was also handed over.

After the meeting, Maheen said: “The discussion was very fruitful and we got positive outcomes on many issues. We have placed our demands and expectations to ensure equal dignity for women voters, candidates and citizens. The Election Commission also mentioned several steps they are planning.”

The forum also pressed for mandatory 33 percent female nomination from all parties. “We want 33 percent female candidates from every party to ensure proper representation,” Maheen said, adding: “We have sufficient qualified women for nomination.”

The EC noted that the Representation of the People Order already requires 33 percent female representation by 2030 and said steps were being taken to strengthen rules to prevent violence or harassment against women candidates, including measures against cyber violence.