Who may get tickets from Jamaat-NCP alliance in reserved women's seats?

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami is likely to elect its women members of parliament for the reserved seats from the areas where the party does not currently have elected MPs.  

Discussions are underway within the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami-NCP alliance over the reserved women's seats in the 13th Jatiya Sangsad. Based on proportional allocation, the alliance may get 13 seats, while the Jamaat will alone secure 11, as 68 Members of Parliament (MPs) were elected from the party.

Several central leaders of Jamaat said regional representation, experience, and leadership responsibility will be key considerations in selecting nominees. At the same time, women who previously served in reserved seats may also receive preference due to their parliamentary experience. 

Party insiders said 11 women will primarily be selected from Jamaat's central and regional leadership of its women's wing. Of the party's recently announced 89-member central working committee, 21 are women, and most of the nominees are expected to come from this panel.

Those names widely discussed are Professor Nurunnisa Siddika, secretary of Jamaat's central women's wing; engineer Mardia Mumtaz, a teacher and a Buet alumna; Dr Amina Begum Rahman, a central working committee member; Shahan Ara Begum, a member of the Majlish-e-Shura; and Barrister Sabikun Nahar Munni, a Supreme Court lawyer and assistant secretary of the women's wing.

Other names under consideration include Sayeeda Rumman, Khandaker Ayesha Khatun, Dr Habiba Chowdhury Sweet, Kazi Maria Islam Baby, Rabeya Khanam, Dr Shirin Akter Runa, Tanha Azmi, Nargis Khan, Kaniz Fatema, Selina Akter, and Ayesha Siddika Parveen.

Dr Amina is the spouse of Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman and previously served as a reserved seat MP. Dr Habiba, wife of Jamaat's Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher and current deputy leader of the opposition in parliament, is also being considered.

Alliance sources said that if two additional seats are allocated under the coalition arrangement, they may go to women leaders from the NCP. Monira Sharmin, member secretary of the party election management committee, and Dr. Mahamuda Mitu, the party's joint member secretary, are among those discussed.

However, Jamaat's Assistant Secretary General Ehsanul Mahboob Zubair told The Business Standard that the party has not formally started the nomination process yet.

He said previous nominees had performed their duties competently and gained valuable experience, which would be considered in the selection.

As the principal opposition party, Jamaat now faces expanded responsibilities, he said, adding that the most qualified individuals will be chosen – those capable of playing a leading role both inside and outside parliament, particularly for the welfare of women and the broader public.

Responding to a question about nominating women beyond the party, Zubair said the party is considering professionals from various sectors who have made significant contributions in the national interest.