11-party alliance names 13 candidates for women’s reserved seats

The 11-party opposition alliance, led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, has announced its list of candidates for the 13 women’s reserved seats allocated to the bloc in the 13th Parliament.

Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad made the announcement on Monday at a press briefing held at the party’s central office in Maghbazar, Dhaka.

Under the allocation, the alliance secured 13 reserved seats based on its performance, having won 77 constituencies in the direct elections held on 12 February.

Of these 13 seats, Jamaat-e-Islami has taken 8 for itself, while the remaining seats have been distributed among partner parties. The National Citizen Party (NCP) received 2 seats, Jatiya Gonotantrik Party was allotted 1 seat, and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish also received 1 seat. One seat has been reserved for a family member of a July martyr.

According to the announcement, Jamaat’s nominees include Women’s Wing Secretary Nurunnisa Siddika and Assistant Secretary Marzia Begum. From NCP, Women’s Wing Convener Manira Sharmin and Member Secretary Mahmuda Alam Mitu have been selected.

Jatiya Gonotantrik Party’s Acting President Barrister Tasmia Pradhan has been nominated, while Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish has selected its Women’s Wing member Mahbuba Hakim.

The list also includes Rokeya Begum, the mother of child martyr Jabir from the July Uprising. Jabir, aged six, was killed during anti-Awami League protests in Uttara, Dhaka on 5 August 2024, according to party sources.

The alliance will formally submit the list of nominees to the Election Commission on Tuesday and is expected to announce the final names at a joint press conference at the EC headquarters. Indirect election for the reserved women’s seats are scheduled to be held on 12 May.