He told The Business Standard that the election schedule may also be announced tomorrow, although it could be issued later if necessary
Election Commission building at Agargaon in the capital. Photo: Rajib Dhar/TBS
“>
Election Commission building at Agargaon in the capital. Photo: Rajib Dhar/TBS
The Election Commission is expected to finalise tomorrow (6 April) the date for the election to the reserved women’s seats in the 13th National Parliament, Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud said.
He told The Business Standard that the election schedule may also be announced tomorrow, although it could be issued later if necessary.
According to EC sources, 10 May and 12 May will be proposed as possible polling dates at the commission meeting.
Once a decision is made, the EC will announce the final polling date, issue the election schedule, and publish the final voter list.
Under the law, the 50 reserved women’s seats in parliament are allocated proportionately among political parties based on the number of general seats they win.
Only MPs elected to general seats are eligible to vote in the election.
In the 13th parliamentary election, the BNP won a majority with 209 seats.
Its allies – Gono Odhikar Parishad, Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP), and Ganosamhati Andolon – secured one seat each.
Jamaat-e-Islami became the main opposition party after winning 68 seats. Its alliance partners – the National Citizen Party (NCP), Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, and Khilafat Majlis – won six, two, and one seats respectively.
Islami Andolon Bangladesh secured one seat, while the remaining seats went to independent candidates.
Based on proportional allocation, the BNP is likely to receive around 36 reserved women’s seats, Jamaat-e-Islami may receive 12, independents will get two if they form a bloc, and the NCP may get one.
Smaller parties, however, will not receive any seats unless they join an alliance.
EC Deputy Secretary Mohammad Monir Hossain said parties must finalise their alliance positions within 30 working days of the publication of the parliamentary election gazette.
That deadline expires on 5 April, while the final voter list is due to be published on 6 April.
He added that the election must be completed within 90 days of the gazette publication, requiring the vote to be held by 14 May.
About The Author
