52 BNP aspirants collect nomination papers for women’s reserved seats

A total of 52 aspirants seeking BNP’s endorsement collected nomination papers on the opening day of nomination paper distribution for the upcoming women’s reserved seat election to the 13th National Parliament.

The election is scheduled for May 12.  

The aspirants collected nomination papers from Mohammad Monir Hossain, assistant returning officer at the Election Commission (EC) headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka.

Among them was Irin Mahbub, the eldest daughter of former Election Commissioner Mahbub Talukdar, who oversaw the controversial 2018 national election.  

The other 51 aspirants include Monira Banu, Shahenewaz Chowdhury, Farida Akter, Momtaz Akter, Farzana Rashid Laboni, Nilufa Yasmin Khan, Sayema Khatun, Tahmina Begum Ripa, Rokeya Chowdhury Baby, Shakila Farhad Banu, Kazi Nazia Haque, Zinat Ara Apu, Kazi Mariam Begum, Hafeza Ferdous Limon, Tahmina Khan, Rubina Akter Ruba, Shamima Rahim, Munmun Talukder, Tahmina Akter Hasemi, Tahsin Sharmin Tamanna, Rehena Parvin, Fauzia Safdar Soheli, Khaleda Yasmin, Afsana Mimi, Sansila Zebrin, Sanjana Chaiti Poppy, Shahana Sultana, Selina Afroz, Nasima Talukder, Nasima Akter, Kawsar Jahan Farida, Raihan Rahman Helen, Lovely, Jesmina Khanam, Farida Yasmin (Dera), Momtaz Begum (Noyon), Razia Alam, Selina Parvin, Habiba Akter Papia, Ayesha Akter Sanji, Sayema Ahmed, Shahinur Begum (Sagar), Mahmuda Akter, Nasima Islam Chowdhury Drishti, Jinnatun Nesa Jinu, Samira Azim, Sultana Begum (Ankhi Sultana), Khadija Begum, Mahmuda Sultana, Mahmuda Sultana Chowdhury (Jharna), and Nilufar Chowdhury Moni.  

The EC announced the election schedule on April 8. Nomination papers must be submitted by April 21, with scrutiny on April 22–23. Appeals can be filed on April 26, hearings will be held on April 27–28, and the last date for withdrawal is April 29. Electoral symbols will be allocated on April 30, and voting will take place on May 12.  

According to EC officials, BNP and its alliance partners will receive 36 seats. Jamaat-e-Islami and its partners will get 13 seats, while six independents forming an alliance will be allotted one seat.

On Monday evening, the EC published the voter list for the reserved women’s seat election, containing the names of 296 parliament members eligible to vote.