BNP’s 36 candidates’ nomination papers declared valid

The nomination papers of all 36 candidates submitted by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) for the reserved women’s seats in the 13th National Parliament have been declared valid.

The announcement was made on Thursday by the returning officer following the scrutiny of nomination papers at the Election Bhaban auditorium.

The Returning Officer said that those whose nominations were cancelled would be able to appeal by April 26.

Under the existing law, the 50 reserved women’s seats in parliament are allocated among parties and alliances in proportion to the number of seats they win in the general election. On that basis, the BNP alliance is set to receive 36 seats, the Jamaat alliance 13, and the independent alliance one.

The valid candidates include Selima Rahman, Shirin Sultana, Rasheda Begum Hira, Rehana Akhtar Ranu, Newaz Halima Arly, Farida Yasmin, Bilkis Islam, Sakila Farzana, Helen Zerin Khan, Nilofar Chowdhury Moni, Nipun Roy Chowdhury, Jiba Amina Khan, Mahmudah Habiba, Sabira Sultana, Sansila Zebrin, Sanjida Islam Tuli, Sultana Ahmed, Fahmida Haque, Anna Minj, Subarna Sikdar (Thakur), Shamima Ara Begum Swapna, Shamsi Akhter, Ferdousi Ahmed, Bithika Binte Hossain, Suraiya Zerin, Mansura Akhter, Johurat Adib Chowdhury, Momtaz Alo, Fahima Nasrin, Arifa Sultana, Sanjida Yasmin, Nadia Pathan Papon, Shaukat Ara Akhter, Madhabi Marma, Selina Sultana and Rezeka Sultana.

According to the announced election schedule, appeals against rejected nominations will be filed on April 26, with hearings and decisions scheduled for April 27 and 28. The withdrawal of candidature will take place on April 29, followed by the allocation of symbols on April 30.

The election will be held on May 12.