The Election Commission (EC) has declared the candidacies of 1,842 contestants valid for the 300 seats in the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election. Of them, 1,777 are men and just 65 are women, meaning women will make up only 3.53 percent of the candidates contesting the election. The figure may change if appeals against EC decisions are upheld or if candidates withdraw their nominations.

An analysis of EC-provided data shows that nine women candidates have been cleared from the BNP, three from the National Citizen Party (NCP), five from the Jatiya Party, two from Gono Odhikar Parishad, four from Ganosamhati Andolon, three from the Bangladesh Socialist Party (SPB), eight from the Bangladesh Socialist Party (SPBM), six from the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), six from Insaniyat Biplob Bangladesh, and two from Gonoforum.

In addition, one woman candidate each has been cleared from the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Nagorik Oikya, Revolutionary Workers Party, Bangladesh Republican Party (BRP), Jatiya Party–JP, Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party), Am Janatar Dal, Islami Front Bangladesh, Bangladesh Supreme Party (BSP), and Bangladesh Muslim League. A further seven independent women candidates from various political backgrounds across the country have also been declared valid.

Terming the low number of women candidates disappointing, former chair of the Women’s Affairs Reform Commission Shireen Parveen Huque told Bonik Barta: “Although it is disheartening that only 65 women are contesting this election, it is not surprising. The country’s political culture remains male-dominated, and even after the July uprising, there has been no meaningful shift in the mindset of political parties. The lack of internal democracy within parties and the absence of women-friendly policies are the main reasons for the low number of women candidates.”

She added, “Women were not involved in drafting the July Charter. Even the Women’s Affairs Reform Commission and the reform commissions formed in the second phase were not invited for consultations. Despite submitting written requests, we received no response. A proposal was made to ensure meaningful representation by introducing a directly elected reserved seat for women alongside a general seat in each constituency. That proposal never saw the light of day—nor was it even discussed.”

According to the Election Commission, the total number of voters in the upcoming election stands at around 127.71 million (127,711,793). Of them, around 64.82 million (64,825,361) are men and around 62.88 million (62,885,200) are women. There are also 1,232 voters registered as a third gender.

Among the women candidates cleared across the 300 constituencies are BNP nominees Farzana Sharmin (Natore-1), Israt Sultana Elen Bhutto (Jhalokathi-2), Sansila Jebrin (Sherpur-1), Afroja Khan Rita (Manikganj-3), Sanjida Islam Tuli (Dhaka-14), Shama Obaed Islam (Faridpur-2), Nayab Yusuf Ahmed (Faridpur-3), Nadira Akhter (Madaripur-1), and Mosammat Tahsina Rushdi (Sylhet-2).

From the National Citizen Party, the candidates are Mahmuda Alam Mitu (Jhalokathi-1), Dilshana Parul (Dhaka-19), and Nabila Tasnid (Dhaka-20).

The Jatiya Party has fielded Nurun Nahar Begum (Thakurgaon-2), Monika Alam (Jhenaidah-1), Bahni Bepari (Dhaka-10), Meherun Nesa Khan Hena (Narsingdi-5), and Mithila Rowaza (Khagrachhari).

Gono Odhikar Parishad nominees include Mosammat Mallika Khatun (Sirajganj-1), Meghna Alam (Dhaka-8), and Shirin Akhter (Narsingdi-1).

From Ganosamhati Andolon, candidates are Tahamida Islam Tania (Natore-2), Taslima Akhter (Dhaka-12), Bilkis Nasima Rahman (Dhaka-18), and Nahida Shahan (Brahmanbaria-5).

The Communist Party of Bangladesh has nominated Jolly Talukder (Netrokona-4), while BaSaD–Marxist candidates include Mosammat Rahela Khatun (Gaibandha-5), Shampa Basu (Magura-1), and Manisha Chakraborty (Barishal-5).

Candidates from BaSaD–Marxist include Pragati Barman Toma (Rangpur-4), Toufika Dewan (Joypurhat-1), Shahinur Akhter Sumy (Dhaka-5), Seema Dutta (Dhaka-7), Taslima Akhter (Gazipur-1), Sadia Noshin Tasnim Chowdhury (Moulvibazar-2), Asma Akhter (Chattogram-10), and Deepa Majumder (Chattogram-11).

Women candidates from the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) are Elora Khatun (Sirajganj-6), Shahana Selim (Dhaka-7), Arifa Akhter Baby (Faridpur-3), Shirin Akhter (Cumilla-5), Rehana Begum (Noakhali-1), and Tania Rob (Lakshmipur-4).

From Insaniyat Biplob Bangladesh, candidates include Rokeya Akhter (Munshiganj-1), Mosammat Salma Akhter (Dhaka-12), Fatema Akhter Munia (Dhaka-13), Sorkar Taslima Afroze (Gazipur-2), Tahmina Akhter (Narsingdi-5), and Sabina Khatun (Chattogram-10).

Gonoforum has nominated Khonia Khanam (Jhenaidah-4) and Nazma Akhter (Dhaka-9).

In addition, candidates include Shahnaz Haque (Pabna-4) from Nagorik Oikya; Jui Chakma (Rangamati) from the Revolutionary Workers Party; Mosammat Rumpa Khatun (Kushtia-3) from the Bangladesh Republican Party (BRP); Monika Alam (Jhenaidah-1) from Jatiya Party–JP; Nasrin Sultana (Dhaka-10) from Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party; Sharifa Akhter (Brahmanbaria-2) from Am Janatar Dal; Ayesha Akhter (Brahmanbaria-3) from Islami Front Bangladesh; Mosammat Shefali Begum (Kurigram-4) from Bangladesh Supreme Party (BSP); and Laila Tul Reema (Dinajpur-3) from Bangladesh Muslim League.

The independent women candidates are Mosammat Anwara Islam Rani (Rangpur-3), Sabina Yasmin (Natore-2), Meherjan Ara Talukder (Jamalpur-4), Akhtar Sultana (Mymensingh-6), Tahmina Zaman (Netrokona-4), Rumin Farhana (Brahmanbaria-2), and Hasna Jasim Uddin Moudud (Noakhali-5).

Commenting on the low number of women candidates, Professor Asif Shahan of the Department of Development Studies at the University of Dhaka told Bonik Barta, “Given how the political process has unfolded in the post-uprising period, we could hardly expect anything different. We are talking about just 3.5 percent of women candidates, yet within this, there is a political alliance where the number of women candidates is negligible. Even the BNP has likely failed to meet the 5 percent quota for women candidates. Therefore, the minimum consensus on women’s representation reached in the July Charter has not been reflected in this election. This clearly indicates a lack of commitment on the part of political parties. In fact, this election may see the lowest number of women candidates so far.”

Dr. Badiul Alam Majumdar, secretary of Shushashoner Janno Nagarik (SHUJAN) and former head of the Election System Reform Commission, said, “This is in no way acceptable. I have heard that some political parties did not nominate any women candidates at all. Although parties had agreed to nominate women for at least 5 percent of general seats, they failed to ensure this and thus did not uphold their political commitments. This will further erode public trust in political parties.”

On the final day of scrutiny of nomination papers on Sunday, the Election Commission cancelled the nominations of 723 candidates. After nomination papers were submitted on December 29, returning officers began scrutinising the following day. A total of 2,568 candidates submitted nomination papers for the 300 constituencies.

According to the election schedule, candidates whose nominations were cancelled have begun filing appeals from yesterday, a process that will continue until January 9. Appeals will be disposed of between January 10 and 18. The last date for withdrawal of candidacy is January 20. The final list of candidates will be published and electoral symbols allocated on January 21. Election campaigning will begin on January 22 and may continue until 7:30 a.m. on February 10. Voting will be held on February 12.