Women activists press for 600-seat parliament, gender-sensitive election reforms

Human rights advocates and activists have urged the Election Commission (EC) to double the number of parliamentary seats from 300 to 600, reserving half exclusively for women through direct voting, alongside measures to ensure their safety and participation in elections.

The proposals came at a dialogue with women representatives held at the EC headquarters in Agargaon, chaired by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) M M Nasir Uddin and attended by four commissioners and senior officials.

Shirin Parvin Haque, chief of the Commission on Women's Issues, said the number of seats should rise to 600 to reflect population growth, with "two representatives per constituency, one for women only and another open to both men and women." She also expressed support for the proportional representation (PR) system.

Forum for Women's Political Rights representative Mahrook Mohiuddin said discussions with stakeholders showed "unanimous support" for direct elections to women's seats. 

She insisted that "reserved seats, whatever the number, must be filled through direct voting," and urged political parties to ensure 33% female representation in all committees by 2030.

She also proposed state-funded campaign support for women, protection from online and offline violence, and nomination in winnable constituencies.

Bangladesh Nari Progoti Sangha Director Shahnaz Sumi suggested setting up special security camps in areas prone to election violence, while Rowshan Jahan Moni of the Association for Land Reform and Development called for coordination between the EC and local administration to prevent post-election attacks on women.

Maha Mirza from the Committee for Democratic Rights highlighted that many female workers in Dhaka and Chattogram industrial zones remain excluded from the updated voter list. She urged the EC to ensure at least two days' paid leave and free bus and rail services for workers during elections.

Human rights activist Elira Dewan said voters in remote hill tracts often walk up to six hours to reach polling centres. To ensure better female participation in elections, postal ballots should be considered for these areas, she suggested.

Women Development Foundation Executive Director Ashrafun Nahar Misti demanded special arrangements for disabled female voters and stronger safety measures for women at polling stations.

Nijera Kori Coordinator Khushi Kabir said that while women's representation must rise, it would be impossible without direct elections.

"Reserved seats should also be filled by popular vote," she said, warning that mob violence and intimidation often discourage women voters.

Bangladesh Mahila Parishad President Fauzia Moslem remarked that "a gender-friendly election cannot be achieved by assurances alone — everyone involved in the process must have a gender-sensitive mindset." She said political parties should exclude "misogynistic, communal, or anti-liberation" candidates.

Her colleague, General Secretary Maleka Banu, called for effective EC intervention against "defamatory and hate campaigns" targeting female candidates before and after elections.

Former Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Mohammad Sanaullah termed the proposal for home-based voting for persons with disabilities "innovative and realistic," noting it would empower a large segment of society. He warned that if political parties failed to ensure 33% female representation by 2030, "no further extension" would be granted.

Concluding the dialogue, CEC Nasir Uddin said the EC would take steps to help women and disabled voters reach polling centres easily, even by relocating some to ground floors if necessary.

"We want to deliver a free, fair, and inclusive election," he said, urging cooperation to ensure female participation in the election without fear. He added, "The Election Commission is truly committed to delivering a credible election."