The BNP has begun selling nomination forms for women’s reserved seats

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) today began distributing nomination forms for women’s reserved seats in the 13th Jatiya Sangsad.

The process was formally launched at 11:00am through a programme at the party’s central office in Nayapaltan in the capital, with BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi inaugurating the sale.

Nomination forms will be available until April 12. Each form costs Tk 2,000, and applicants are required to submit a deposit of Tk 50,000 along with their application.

Speaking at the event, Rizvi highlighted the party’s long-standing political struggle and reaffirmed its commitment to upholding democratic practices through free and fair elections. He stressed the importance of lively parliamentary debate as a cornerstone of democracy.

He also referred to past political movements, alleging incidents of repression, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings.

Highlighting the role of women aspirants, Rizvi noted that leaders from across the country have come forward, many of whom have endured significant hardship and struggle over the past 16 to 17 years.

Earlier, the Election Commission announced the schedule, setting May 12 as the date for voting.

The deadline for submitting nomination papers is April 21, with scrutiny scheduled for April 22–23.

Appeals against the scrutiny decisions can be filed on April 26 and will be resolved on April 27–28.

The final date for withdrawal of candidature is April 29, while election symbols will be allocated on April 30.

The 350-member parliament includes 50 seats reserved for women. Of these, 36 are allocated to the BNP-led alliance, 13 to the Jamaat-e-Islami alliance, and one to independent candidates.