The Bangladesh Election Commission on Wednesday announced the election schedule for the reserved women seats of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad, setting May 12 as the date for voting.
Senior Secretary of the Commission Akhtar Ahmed made the announcement at a press briefing held at the Election Building in Agargaon, Dhaka. He said the schedule was finalised following a recent commission meeting and that all necessary preparations have been taken to conduct the election smoothly.
According to the announced schedule, the deadline for submission of nomination papers is April 21, while scrutiny of nominations will take place on April 22 and 23 at the EC Secretariat.
Candidates will be able to file appeals against rejected nominations on April 26, and the appeals will be disposed of on April 27 and 28. The last date for withdrawal of candidature is April 29, and election symbols will be allocated on April 30.
The Commission has appointed Moinuddin Khan as the Returning Officer and Monir Hossain as the Assistant Returning Officer to conduct the election. In addition, four polling officers have been assigned to assist in the process.
A total of 50 reserved seats will be filled through this election, with distribution already determined among political parties and alliances.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its allies will secure 36 seats. The alliance includes Gono Odhikar Parishad, Gonosamhati Andolon and Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP).
On the other hand, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and its alliance partners will get 13 seats. Their alliance includes Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP), Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis and Khelafat Majlis. Besides, six independent members, contesting as a combined group, will obtain one seat.
However, Rumeen Farhana and Islami Andolon Bangladesh have decided to remain outside any alliance.
Speaking at the briefing, the EC secretary said the Commission is working to ensure a free, fair and credible election, adding that all officials concerned have already been assigned their duties to carry out the election process.
He also mentioned that elections to Bogura-6 and Sherpur-3 constituencies will be held on Thursday, expressing hope that voting in those constituencies will be conducted peacefully.
The Election Commission expects that the upcoming reserved seats election will maintain the benchmark set in previous national-level polls with the cooperation of all stakeholders.
