EC Validates 36 BNP and 12 Jamaat Candidates for Reserved Women’s Seats

The Election Commission (EC) has declared the nomination papers of all 36 candidates from the BNP alliance valid for the reserved women’s seats in the 13th National Parliament. 

Following a rigorous two-day scrutiny process at the Election Bhaban in Agargaon, a total of 49 candidates were cleared on Thursday, including 36 from the BNP, 12 from the Jamaat-e-Islami alliance, and one from an independent alliance.

Returning Officer and Joint Secretary of the EC Secretariat, Md Moin Uddin Khan, disclosed the details of the scrutiny process on Thursday. 

The validated BNP candidates include prominent figures such as, 

Selima Rahman, Shirin Sultana, Rasheda Begum Hira, Rehana Akhter Ranu, Newaz Halima Arli, Mst Farida Yasmin, Bilkis Islam, Sakila Farzana, Helen Zerin Khan, Nilufar Chowdhury Moni, Nipun Roy Chowdhury, Jiba Amina Khan, Mahmuda Habiba, Sabira Sultana, Sansila Zebrin, Sanjida Islam Tuli, Sultana Ahmed, Fahmida Haque, Anna Minaj, Suborna Sikder, Shamim Ara Begum Swapna, Shammi Akhter, Ferdousi Ahmed, Bitika Binte Hossain, Suraiya Zerin, Mansura Akhter, Zaharat Adib Chowdhury, Momtaz Alo, Fahima Nasrin, Arifa Sultana, Sanjida Yasmin, Nadia Pathan Papon, Shawkat Ara Akhter, Madhavi Marma, Selina Sultana, and Rezeka Sultana.

Additionally, the nomination of Sultana Jasmine Jui, former vice-president of Chhatra Dal, was validated as a candidate for an independent alliance aligned with the BNP.

The EC Secretariat confirmed that the nomination of Monira Sharmin, a candidate from the Jamaat alliance (NCP), was cancelled. 

The rejection was based on legal requirements stating that three years must pass following a resignation from government service before contesting; a criterion she had not yet met. 

Consequently, one of the 13 seats allocated to Jamaat-e-Islami under proportional representation remains vacant and is expected to be filled under a new schedule.

The 12 Jamaat alliance candidates whose nominations were accepted are, 

Nurunnisa Siddique, Marzia Begum, Sabikun Nahar Munni, Mardia Momtaz, Nazmun Nahar Nilu, Mahfuza Siddique, Sajeda Samad, Samsun Nahar, Mahmuda Alam Mitu, Tasmia Prodhan, Mahbuba Hakim, and Rokeya Begum. Furthermore, the papers of three independent candidates were rejected due to a lack of formal support from any recognized party or alliance.

Per the Election Commission's schedule, appeals against the Returning Officer’s decisions can be filed on April 26, with disposals set for April 27 and 28. 

The deadline for withdrawal of candidature is April 29. Symbols will be allotted on April 30, leading up to the vote on May 12. 

Notably, if the number of valid candidates equals the seats allocated to a specific party, they will be elected unopposed.