53 nominations papers submitted for 50 reserved seats in 13th Parliament

A total of 53 nomination papers have been submitted to the Election Commission (EC) for the 50 reserved women's seats in the 13th National Parliament, filed by candidates from the BNP- and Jamaat-led alliances, along with independent aspirants. 

The submissions were made this morning (21 April)  at the returning officer's office for reserved seats at the EC headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka. Of these, 50 came from political parties and alliances, while three were submitted by individuals outside party-backed groups.

Under the existing legal framework, the reserved women's seats are allocated proportionally based on general election results. EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said the BNP alliance will receive 36 seats, the Jamaat alliance 13, and an independent alliance one seat.

Returning Officer and EC Joint Secretary Moin Uddin Khan said 36 nominations came from the BNP-led alliance, 13 from the Jamaat-led alliance, one from independent alliance candidate Sultana Jesmin, and three others from outside party or alliance affiliation.

Scrutiny of nomination papers will be held on the next two days. The deadline for withdrawal of candidature is 29 April, after resolution of appeals. Although voting is scheduled for 12 May, it is expected to be unnecessary if the number of valid candidates matches available seats. In that case, candidates will be declared elected unopposed and later gazetted by the EC.

BNP-led alliance nominates 36 candidates

The BNP-led alliance's 36 nominees include party Standing Committee members, former MPs, relatives of senior BNP leaders, representatives of ethnic minority communities, former student leaders and leaders of affiliated organisations.

Notable nominees include Selima Rahman, Shirin Sultana, Rasheda Begum Hira, Rehana Akhtar Ranu, Neawaz Halima Arli, Mosammat Farida Yasmin, Bilkis Islam, Sakila Farzana, Helen Zerin Khan, Nilofer Chowdhury Mony, Nipun Roy Chowdhury, Jiba Amina Khan, Mahmudah Habiba, Sabira Sultana, Sansila Zabrin, Sanjida Islam Tuli, Sultana Ahmed, Fahmida Haque, Anna Minj and Suborna Sarker.

Others include Shamima Ara Begum Swapna, Shammi Akhtar, Ferdousi Ahmed, Bithika Binte Hossain, Suraiya Zerin, Mansura Akter, Johorat Adib Chowdhury, Momtaz Alo, Fahima Nasrin, Arifa Sultana, Sanjida Yasmin, Nadia Pathan Papon, Shaukat Ara Akter, Madhabi Marma, Selina Sultana and Rezeka Sultana.

Jamaat-led alliance nominates 13

The Jamaat-led alliance has nominated 13 candidates, including eight from Jamaat-e-Islami, two from the National Citizen Party (NCP), and one each from Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis and Jagpa, along with the mother of July martyr Jabir Ibrahim.

Jamaat nominees include Nurunnisa Siddiqa, Marzia Begum, Sabikun Nahar Munni, Nazmun Nahar Nilu, Mahfuza Hannan, Sajeda Samad, Shamsunnahar Begum and Mardia Mumtaz. Others include Rokeya Begum, Monira Sharmin, Mahmuda Alam Mitu, Tasmia Pradhan and Mahbuba Hakim.

Late submission and possible disqualification cases

NCP leader Nusrat Tabassum submitted her nomination papers after the deadline. NCP Joint Member Secretary Saleh Uddin Sifat said she had arrived before the cutoff time, but the submission was delayed due to incomplete documents. He added that the nomination was ultimately filed but recorded as 19 minutes late. 

Nusrat was present during submission but did not comment. EC Joint Secretary Moin Uddin Khan said late submissions may not be considered valid.

Another NCP nominee, Monira Sharmin, may face disqualification under the Representation of the People Order (RPO) 1972, which bars candidates who left public service within three years of nomination. 

She joined Bangladesh Krishi Bank on 11 November 2023 and resigned in December last year, leaving only four months between resignation and nomination. The EC will decide her eligibility after scrutiny.

Independent and unaffiliated candidates

Former Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal leader Sultana Jesmin Jui submitted nomination papers from an independent alliance.

Separately, Meherun Nisa from Joypurhat, Mahbuba Rahman from Jhenaidah (both BNP leaders), and Shamima Akhtar submitted nominations independently. EC officials said their eligibility will be reviewed during scrutiny, with an appeal scope on 26 April.