More than 600 women have collected nomination forms for the reserved women’s seats in the National Parliament, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said on Friday.
The party started distributing nomination forms on Friday, with over five hundred sold on the first day. Sale and submission will continue through Sunday, Rizvi told a press briefing at the party’s central office in Naya Paltan.
“The applications will go to our board, consisting of senior party leaders. I believe the party will certainly select those who have played a role in the party’s movement and struggle, those who have the ability to speak in parliament with strong logic, and those who have an excellent reputation in society,” he said.
BNP Deputy Office Secretary Tarikul Islam Tenzing said over 600 nomination papers have been sold so far, with 78 or 79 already submitted.
“We must make the best use of the democratic environment we have gained after a 15-16 year struggle for a free and fair election,” Rizvi said.
The nomination form is priced at Tk2,000, with a Tk50,000 security deposit required at submission. Forms can be obtained and submitted until 12 April.
The EC announced the schedule for the reserved women’s seats election on Wednesday. The last date for submission of nomination papers is 21 April, with scrutiny on 22-23 April. Appeals can be made on 26 April and disposed of on 227-28 April.
Symbols will be allocated on 30 April, and voting will be held on 12 May.
In seat distribution, the BNP alliance will get 36 seats, the Jamaat-e-Islami alliance 13 seats, and independents will collectively receive one seat.
