The Election Commission (EC) on Thursday evening published the official gazette declaring 49 candidates elected unopposed to the reserved women’s seats in the 13th Jatiya Sangsad.
According to the gazette, among the elected members, 36 are from the BNP, 12 from the 11-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami, including the Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP) and one is from a separate independent group.
With the publication of the gazette, preparations will now begin for their oath-taking as members of parliament. However, one reserved seat remains pending due to ongoing legal complications.
Earlier on Wednesday, Returning Officer and EC Joint Secretary Md Moin Uddin Khan published the final list of 49 valid candidates after scrutiny at the election building.
The BNP’s elected members include Selima Rahman, Shirin Sultana, Rasheda Begum Hira, Rehana Akter Ranu, Newaz Halima Arli, Mosammat Farida Yasmin, Bilkis Islam, Sakila Farzana, Helen Jerin Khan, Nilofar Chowdhury Moni, Nipon Roy Chowdhury, Jeba Amina Khan, Mahmudah Habiba, Sabira Sultana, Sansila Jebrin, Sanjida Islam Tuli, Sultana Ahmed, Fahmida Haque, Anna Minz, Subarna Sikder, Shamima 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, Shawkat Ara Akter, Madhabi Marma, Selina Sultana and Rezeka Sultana.
From the Jamaat-led 11-party alliance, the elected members are Nurunnisa Siddika, Marzia Begum, Sabikun Nahar, Nazmun Nahar, Mahfuza Hannan, Sajeda Samad, Shamsunnahar Begum, Mardia Mumtaz, Rokeya Begum, Mahmudah Alam Mitu, Tasmia Pradhan and Mahbuba Hakim.
The independent quota includes Sultana Jesmin, a former vice president of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal.
Meanwhile, one candidate from the alliance, NCP Joint Convener Monira Sharmin, had her nomination declared invalid for failing to meet the required three-year gap after resigning from government service. Her appeal was later rejected by the EC, and she has since filed a writ petition with the High Court challenging the decision.
Another NCP nominee, Nusrat Tabassum, whose nomination was initially not accepted due to late submission, was later directed by the High Court to be reconsidered by the EC. Her nomination will undergo scrutiny on May 2, after which she may be either included as a valid candidate or rejected.
EC said all legal and procedural matters related to the pending seat will be resolved in due course before final inclusion.
AM
