Political discussions have intensified over who will receive nominations for the reserved women’s seats in Bangladesh’s 13th Parliament. More than fifty women leaders from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) are being considered as potential candidates. Party sources said that the BNP, which secured an absolute majority in the recent parliamentary election, is giving high importance to the distribution of these seats. The party’s central offices in Naya Paltan and Gulshan have seen increased activity as aspirants seek to attract the attention of the leadership.

According to the Election Commission, the BNP-led alliance may receive 35 reserved women’s seats, while the Jamaat-led alliance could get 13. The Parliament Secretariat is expected to prepare the voter list after the first session in early March, followed by the announcement of the election schedule. The Election Commission plans to complete the process before Eid. BNP insiders said that priority may be given to women who have been active in movements, faced imprisonment, or contributed to strengthening grassroots organizations, along with professionals, academics, and former student leaders.

A preliminary list will be shortened before final approval by the party’s parliamentary board, with no list finalized without the endorsement of BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman.