The BNP-led ruling alliance has announced the final list of 36 nominees for the women's reserved seats in the 13th Jatiya Sangsad, effectively ensuring their election unopposed, report agencies.
Prime Minister's Adviser and BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced the names at a press conference at the party's Nayapaltan central office in the capital.
Although the Election Commission has scheduled election for May 12, no polling will be required as the number of candidates matches the seats allocated to the alliance.
If the nominations pass scrutiny, the nominees will be elected without contest.
The alliance nominees are Selima Rahman, Shirin Sultana, Rasheda Begum Hira, Rehana Akter Ranu, Newaz Halima Arli, Farida Yasmin, Bilkis Islam, Sakila Farzana, Helen Jerin Khan, Nilufar Chowdhury Moni, Nipun Roy Chowdhury, Zeba
Amin Khan, Mahmuda Habiba, Sabira Sultana, Sansila Jebrin, Sanjida Islam Tulee, Sultana Ahmed, Fahmida Haque, Anna Minz, Subarna Sikdar, Shamim Ara Begum Swapna, Shammi Akter, Ferdousi Ahmed, Bithika Binte Hossain, Suraiya Jerin, Mansura Akter, Johorat Adib Chowdhury, Momtaz Alo, Fahima Nasrin, Arifa Sultana, Sanjida Yasmin, Nadia Pathan Papon, Showkat Ara Akter, Madhabi Marma, Selina Sultana and Rezeka Sultana.
Under existing law, the 50 reserved seats for women are allocated among parties with representation in parliament in proportion to their share of the general seats.
Accordingly, the BNP-led alliance will get 36 seats, the combine, led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, 13 and independents will receive one.
According to the election schedule, the deadline for submission of nomination papers is April 21, while scrutiny will take place on April 22 and 23. Appeals against scrutiny decisions can be filed on April 26 and will be disposed of on April 27 and 28.
