49 women elected unopposed to reserved seats; gazette tomorrow
Among the valid candidates, 36 are from BNP and its alliance, 12 from Jamaat-e-Islami and its allied parties, and one from an independent alliance
The Election Commission (EC) is set to publish a gazette notification tomorrow (30 April) declaring 49 candidates elected unopposed to the reserved women's seats in the 13th National Parliament.
According to EC, the number of valid candidates matches the number of reserved seats, leaving no contest for the positions.
The information was disclosed today (29 April) by EC Joint Secretary Md Moin Uddin Khan, returning officer for the reserved seats, at the Election Building in Agargaon in the capital.
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He said among the valid candidates, 36 are from BNP and its alliance, 12 from Jamaat-e-Islami and its allied parties, and one from an independent alliance. "The full list of 49 valid candidates has already been published and displayed as an official notice."
According to Section 12(2) of the Reserved Women's Seats Act, this list will be published in the official gazette tomorrow.
Moin Uddin Khan said the election schedule was announced on 18 April under the provisions of the Reserved Women's Seats Act, 2004.
The deadline for withdrawal of candidacy was today, from 9am to 4pm, but no candidate withdrew their nomination within that time.
"As the number of vacant seats matches the number of submitted nominations, we will publish the gazette in accordance with Section 12(2) of the law," he added.
He further said that the list of 49 valid candidates will be formally placed before the commission and published in gazette form.
Regarding the remaining one of the total of 50 reserved seats, the returning officer said the nomination of NCP leader Nusrat Tabassum was initially not accepted due to late submission. She later filed a writ petition with the High Court (No. 5022/2026).
The court has directed the EC to accept her nomination, scrutinise it, and dispose of the matter within 72 hours. The EC is currently taking steps in line with the court's order, Khan said.
Meanwhile, another candidate from the Jamaat alliance, Monira Sharmin, had her nomination earlier rejected as she had not completed three years since leaving government service.
The EC said it has not yet been informed whether she has filed an appeal against the decision.
The Commission added that a final decision on the remaining seat will be made in accordance with the law after the matter concerning Nusrat Tabassum is resolved.
