BNP considers several allies' candidates for reserved women's seats

The ruling BNP is considering nominating several women from allied parties for the reserved women's seats in the 13th parliament, party leaders have said, in a move aimed at recognising their contributions to past movements and struggles.

Senior BNP figures hinted that three to four women leaders from like-minded parties could receive nominations for the reserved seats, which will be filled through a parliamentary vote scheduled for 12 May.

The party's plan is similar to previous arrangements in parliamentary seat-sharing and cabinet formation.

According to party sources, discussions are underway to nominate wives and daughters of leaders who either contested the recent national election but were unsuccessful, or were active in the anti-authoritarian movement but did not receive nominations. Their qualifications and political contributions are being considered during the selection process.

According to the Election Commission, the BNP-led alliance will get 36 of the 50 reserved women's seats, while the alliance led by Jamaat will receive 13 seats and independent candidates one seat.

Names under discussion from alliance partners

Party insiders say around eight names from allied parties are currently being discussed for possible nominations.

Among them is Tania Rab, senior vice-president of the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal and wife of party president ASM Abdur Rab. She contested the Lakshmipur-4 constituency in the last national election.

Another name under discussion is Meher Nigar, wife of Mahmudur Rahman Manna, president of Nagorik Oikya. Politican and photojournalist Taslima Akhter, wife of State Minister Zonayed Saki, who recently stepped down as chief coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolon, is also being considered.

Singer and cultural activist Rebeka Neela, wife of Ganosamhati Andolon national council member Ariful Islam – who died in a road accident – is another potential nominee.

Other names being discussed include Moshrika Aditi Haque, daughter of Saiful Haque, general secretary of the Revolutionary Workers Party of Bangladesh and a teacher at Chittagong University.

From the 12-party alliance, Joya Kazi, daughter of Kazi Zafar Ahmed of the Jatiya Party (Kazi Zafar faction), has also emerged as a possible candidate. Rokshana Sharmin, wife of National Party leader Ehsanul Huda, is also under consideration.

In addition, the wife of Fariduzzaman Farhad from the like-minded alliance is being reviewed as a potential nominee.

Nomination process underway

The BNP has already begun distributing nomination forms, with more than 1,000 aspirants collecting the forms so far. However, sources say several potential candidates from allied parties have not yet collected nomination forms.

Despite this, some of them may still be nominated and sent to parliament through the party's decision.

Selima Rahman, standing committee member of the BNP and former vice-chairman of the party's election management committee, said discussions are ongoing regarding nominations.

"The party chairman and prime minister Tarique Rahman will take the final decision," she said, adding that the number of seats to be allocated to alliance partners had not yet been finalised as the party's parliamentary board would make the final decision.

Priority for movement activists

Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni said, "We believe more women should come forward. The sooner they come, the better. We have introduced measures to empower women and are working to bring them into parliament as quickly as possible."

Those with political experience and the ability to contribute effectively in parliament would be considered, he added, noting that activists from political movements and capable parliamentarians would be prioritised.

The BNP began distributing nomination forms on 10 April. A total of 1,194 women collected forms, of whom 907 have submitted completed applications, while 287 have yet to submit their forms.

Interviews begin today

A two-day interview for nomination seekers is set to begin at the party's Gulshan office at 3pm today, with candidates from Rajshahi, Rangpur, Khulna, Barishal, and Faridpur divisions.

Tomorrow, interviews will be held for candidates from Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet, and Mymensingh divisions.

According to the election schedule, the deadline for submitting nomination papers is 21 April, with scrutiny set for 22 and 23 April.

Appeals can be filed on 26 April and will be resolved on 27 and 28 April. The last date for withdrawal of candidature is 29 April, while symbols will be allocated on 30 April.

In the national election, the BNP left 14 seats for alliance partners. Of these, nine were contested using their own party symbols, while others ran under BNP's symbol. Three of the winning candidates from allied parties were later included in the cabinet.