The Election Commission has declared all 36 nomination papers of the BNP-led alliance valid for the reserved women’s seats in the 13th Parliament.
The decision came after scrutiny on Thursday morning at the Election Commission building in Agargaon.
Returning Officer and EC Joint Secretary Moinuddin Khan confirmed that all 36 nominations from the BNP alliance were provisionally accepted.
He also said one nomination from the independent alliance was found valid.
Assistant Returning Officer and EC Deputy Secretary Mohammad Monir Hossain said “Three independent candidates, who submitted nominations without backing from any party or alliance, were rejected during scrutiny.”
The valid BNP alliance candidates are Selima Rahman, Shirin Sultana, Rasheda Begum Hira, Rehana Akter Ranu, Neowaz Halima Arly, Mosammat Farida Yasmin, Bilkis Islam, Shakila Farzana, Helen Jerin Khan, Nilufar Chowdhury Moni, Nipun Roy Chowdhury, Jeba Amin Khan, Mahmuda Habiba, Sabira Sultana, Sansila Jebrin, Sanjida Islam Tulee, Sultana Ahmed, Fahmida Haque, Anna Minj, Subarna Shikdar, Shamim Ara Begum Swapna, Shammi Akter, Ferdousi Ahmed, Bithika Binte Hossain, Suraiya Jerin, Mansura Akter, Johorat Adib Chowdhury, Momtaz Alam, Fahima Nasrin, Arifa Sultana, Sanjida Yasmin, Shawkat Ara Akter, Madhabi Marma, Selina Sultana, Nadia Pathan Papon, and Rezeka Sultana.
From the independent nominees, former vice-president of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (Shrabon–Jewel committee) Sultana Jesmin Jui also secured a valid nomination.
The rejected candidates are Meherun Nesa of Joypurhat, Mahbuba Rahman of Jhenaidah and Shamima Akter, who filed nominations independently.
Earlier on Wednesday, 12 nominations from the Jamaat-led alliance were declared valid, while one was kept pending. A decision on the suspended nomination of NCP candidate Monira Sharmin is expected later today.
According to the election schedule, appeals against rejection will be disposed of before the deadline for withdrawal of candidature on 29 April. The election is scheduled for 12 May.
If the number of valid candidates equals the number of seats, they will be elected unopposed. After the withdrawal deadline, the Election Commission will publish a gazette declaring them elected as Members of Parliament.
Under the law, the 50 reserved women’s seats are allocated in proportion to the number of general seats won by parties or alliances. Accordingly, the BNP and its allies will receive 36 seats, the Jamaat-led alliance 13 seats and the independent alliance one seat.
There is no precedent of voting in reserved seats, as candidates are typically elected unopposed due to equal numbers of seats and nominees.
