BNP, Jamaat to Contest Reserved Women’s Seats in Separate Alliances

Political parties in Bangladesh are set to contest the reserved women’s seats in the 13th National Parliament through separate alliances, according to sources from the Election Commission (EC).

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami will lead two different electoral alliances, with most Members of Parliament (MPs) elected under their banners remaining aligned with their respective coalitions. Additionally, independent MPs are forming a separate bloc.

EC sources said the commission recently sent letters to all parties and winning candidates from the February 12 general election, requesting them to clarify their alliance positions for the reserved seats election. All parties and MPs have since responded.

According to the information provided, all 208 MPs elected from BNP will remain in one alliance. They will be joined by MPs from allied parties, including Gono Odhikar Parishad, Ganosamhati Andolon, and Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP), bringing additional support to the bloc.

On the other hand, 68 MPs from Jamaat-e-Islami and six MPs from the National Citizen Party (NCP) will form a separate alliance. They will also be joined by Abul Hasan, elected from Sylhet-5 under Khelafat Majlish, and Muhammadullah from Mymensingh-2 representing Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish. However, Syed Uddin Ahmad Hanjala, elected from Madaripur-1 under Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, has informed the EC that he will not join any alliance.

Among seven independent MPs, six are expected to form a separate platform. Barrister Rumeen Farhana, elected from Brahmanbaria-2 as an independent candidate, has stated she will not join any alliance. Similarly, Maulana Mahmudul Hasan Oliullah, the sole MP elected from Islami Andolan Bangladesh from Barguna-1, will also remain outside any coalition.

EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed confirmed the developments, stating that the commission’s 11th meeting is scheduled for April 6. Key decisions, including the announcement of the election schedule for reserved women’s seats, are expected to be made during the meeting.

18-Member Committee Formed for Election Documentation

Meanwhile, the EC has formed an 18-member committee to prepare a comprehensive report on the 13th National Parliament election and referendum. According to an official order signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Momtaz-Al-Shibly, the committee will collect relevant data and photographs to compile a documented publication.

The committee will be led by the Joint Secretary of the EC’s Election Management-2 branch as convener, while a Senior Assistant Secretary will serve as the member secretary.