Bangladesh’s 13th national parliamentary election was held on February 12, 2026, across 299 constituencies, with one seat postponed due to a candidate’s death. According to the Election Commission, 86 women contested, and only seven were elected directly. The remaining women MPs will be chosen through the reserved seat system, which allocates seats proportionally based on each party’s number of elected members.

Under the 2004 Reserved Women’s Seat Election Act, one reserved seat is assigned for every six general seats won by a party. The Election Commission announces the schedule, and parties nominate candidates who are then elected by their party’s MPs. In past elections, many nominees were declared elected unopposed. This year, the BNP-led alliance won 212 of 297 seats, likely securing around 35 reserved seats, while the Jamaat-e-Islami alliance may receive 12 to 13.

Bangladesh currently has 50 reserved women’s seats. Analysts note that although the number has increased over time, the indirect election process raises questions about the effectiveness of women’s empowerment through this system.