Originally posted in The Daily Star on 27 February 2026
Preparations have intensified within the ruling BNP and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami over nominations for the reserved women’s seats in the 13th national parliament as both parties step up internal consultations ahead of the final allocation.
Inside the BNP, lobbying has begun for nominations to the reserved women’s seats, with Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal leaders and several former Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal activists emerging as early frontrunners.
In contrast, Jamaat has moved more formally, with its women’s wing preparing a preliminary list of 15 to 16 names and forwarding it to the party’s central executive council.
Many seekers prepared detailed profiles highlighting their role in past movements and struggles, loyalty to the party and organisational experience. They have begun sending those to the party’s policymaking level.
On the other hand, Jamaat is assessing potential nominees from its women’s central committee to determine who can play an effective role in the parliament and meet public expectations, while professional women, including teachers, physicians and lawyers may also be considered.
No formal decision has yet been taken to prepare the list at the party’s highest policymaking level regarding the reserved women’s seats, The Daily Star has learnt from people involved with the proceedings.
Nominations are unlikely to be finalised before Eid as the party is still in a preparatory phase, said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
“Most of our responsible leaders are engaged in various professions. While preparing and scrutinising the primary list of candidates, we have taken into account their qualifications, performance, experience and acceptability in their respective areas,” said Nurunnisa Siddika, secretary of Jamaat’s women’s wing.
Jamaat leaders, however, have indicated that internal scrutiny is already underway.
Under the constitutional framework, the parliamentary seats reserved for women are distributed according to the seats won by the parties in the general elections.
The members of parliament elected in the general election cast ballots for the reserved seats.
One reserved women’s seat will be allocated for every six general seats won. In some cases, the law also allows a lottery system.
In the 13th parliamentary election held on February 12, the BNP won 209 seats on its own. Based on the seat ratio, the party will get 35 of the 50 reserved women’s seats. In addition, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami will get 11 seats and the National Citizen Party one seat.
The remaining three seats will be distributed among independent candidates and the other parties including Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, Ganosamhati Andolon, Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP), Gono Odhikar Parishad and Khelafat Majlis.
Within the BNP, discussions suggest that this time the reserved women’s seats may reflect a mix of senior and younger leaders, with a relatively strong presence of comparatively young faces.
The party has given priority to former reserved-seat lawmakers from 2001 and 2008 in selecting nominees this time, considering their past parliamentary experience and organisational background.
Among senior leaders under discussion are Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal President Afroza Abbas, the wife of BNP Standing Committee Member Mirza Abbas, and Mohila Dal General Secretary Sultana Ahmed, who was a reserved seat lawmaker in 2001.
Also in consideration are 2001 reserved seat lawmaker Mohila Dal leader Rehana Akter (Ranu); 2001 reserved seat lawmaker and BNP Executive Committee member Bilkis Islam; 2001 reserved seat lawmaker and BNP Training Affairs Secretary Rasheda Begum Hira; 2001 reserved seat lawmaker and BNP Relief and Rehabilitation Affairs Assistant Secretary Newaz Halima Arly; and 2001 reserved seat lawmaker and BNP Education Affairs Assistant Secretary Helen Zerin Khan.
BNP central committee member Shirin Sultana, who was also a reserved seat lawmaker in 1996, is among the aspirants, as is Dhaka district BNP General Secretary Nipun Roy Chowdhury, the daughter of Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury.
BNP Chairperson’s Adviser and singer Baby Naznin is also being discussed, along with Central BNP Self-Reliance Affairs Assistant Secretary Nilufar Chowdhury Moni.
Among those from the 2008 reserved seats are BNP Local Government Affairs Assistant Secretary Shammi Akter and BNP Human Rights Affairs Assistant Secretary Syeda Ashifa Ashrafi Papia.
BNP National Executive Committee members Ayesha Siddiqa and Farida Yasmin are also aspirants.
In addition, several former central leaders of Chhatra Dal are seeking nomination, including Mahila Dal Co–Self-Reliance Affairs Secretary Asma Aziz, former central vice-president Sultana Jesmin (Jui), Mahila Dal Dhaka City South Member Secretary Nasima Akter (Keya), senior joint convener and former councillor of Kotwali Thana BNP Suraiya Begum, and Chhatra Dal Central Committee Joint General Secretary Mansura Alam, among others.
The final selection will depend on political balancing, regional representation and internal consensus, according to BNP insiders.
Jamaat’s potential nominees similarly include leaders from its central working committee as well as professional women.
Among those being discussed are Nurunnisa Siddika; Mardia Mumtaz; central working committee member Ameena Begum Rahman, who is also the wife of Jamaat ameer Shafiqur Rahman; central Majlish-e-Shura member Shahan Ara Begum; Habiba Akhter Chowdhury, the wife of Jamaat’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher; and Supreme Court lawyer and assistant secretary of the women’s wing Sabikun Nahar Munni.
The other names include Saeeda Rumman, Khandaker Ayesha Khatun, Kazi Maria Islam Baby, Rabeya Khanam, Shirin Akter Runa, Tanha Azmi, Nargis Khan, Kaniz Fatema, Selina Akter and Ayesha Siddika Parveen.
While BNP insiders say the final selection will depend on political balancing, regional representation and internal consensus, Jamaat leaders emphasise consultation and structured review.
The final decision will be taken based on a review of the list submitted by the women’s wing to the central executive council, said Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair, assistant secretary general of Jamaat and head of the party’s central publicity department.
In this regard, individuals outside the list may also be considered.
Asked about discussions surrounding the names of the wives of Shafiqur and Taher, Zubair said: “First, in our party, two members of the same family have never become MPs. Second, all decisions are taken through consultation and discussion. So the time has not yet come to make any final comments.”
