Samajik Protirodh Committee (Committee for Social Resistance) has expressed deep concern over the marginal representation of women in the 13th parliamentary election, demanding urgent reforms to ensure a fair and inclusive electoral process.
The Committee, a platform of 71 women’s rights, human rights, and development organisations, warned that women candidates and voters, religious minorities, indigenous people, and the poor remain particularly vulnerable to harassment, intimidation, and violence before, during, and after the election.
It also urged the EC to completely ban the use of religion in election campaigns to prevent communal tensions and safeguard communal harmony.
The concerns were raised at a press conference held at the Jatiya Press Club on Tuesday, where it was announced that the Committee had submitted a memorandum to the Election Commission (EC) outlining a set of recommendations ahead of the upcoming national election.
It called on the EC to adopt a rights-based approach to election management and strictly enforce the law against electoral violence and hate speech.
Speakers at the conference said women’s organisations have long been campaigning for increased representation of women in parliament, expansion of reserved seats for women, and reforms in the voting process.
However, the current nomination pattern reflects a continued marginalisation of women in electoral politics.
Among the key demands, the platform called for ensuring a level playing field for all citizens—including women, indigenous people, the poor, and religious minorities—by creating a fear-free, violence-free, and gender-sensitive electoral environment.
The Committee also demanded special measures to prevent violence against women, minorities, and marginalised communities before, during, and after the election, noting that these groups are often targeted during election-related political violence.
It urged the authorities to ensure convenient polling centres so that women, elderly voters, persons with disabilities, and indigenous voters can cast their votes without obstruction. It also called for stricter enforcement of laws and enhanced monitoring to prevent online harassment, hate speech, and violence against women on social media during the election period.
The platform further demanded strict control over campaign spending by setting a maximum expenditure limit and ensuring rigorous monitoring to curb the influence of money in elections.
However, it said it will continue to remain vigilant in protecting women’s rights and human rights and expressed hope that the EC will carry out its duties with transparency and accountability.
