Dr. Tasnim Zara Declines Reserved Seat Offer, Vows to Enter Parliament Through Public Vote

Dr. Tasnim Zara has said she declined a proposal to become a Member of Parliament through a reserved women’s seat, expressing her preference to enter Parliament through direct public vote.

In a post shared Tuesday on her verified Facebook page, she confirmed that she had been offered nomination for a reserved seat in the 13th Parliament but turned it down with gratitude.

“I am thankful for the proposal, but I have respectfully declined it,” she wrote, adding that many supporters had expressed disappointment upon hearing she would not be part of Parliament.

Dr. Zara emphasized that women’s representation — in a country where women make up more than half the population — should come through a democratic process. “If reserved seats must exist, they too should be determined through public vote,” she stated.

Reflecting on her recent political experience, she noted that she had contested the Dhaka-9 constituency as an independent candidate. Despite running a short 19-day campaign without posters or rallies and adhering strictly to campaign spending limits, she received more than 44,000 votes.

She also mentioned that her team documented alleged irregularities on election day, though they ultimately accepted the results.

“I will enter Parliament, if ever, through your votes,” she said, adding that meaningful contributions to society can also be made from outside Parliament — a commitment she intends to continue.