Dhaka: The Election Commission (EC) today published a gazette notification of 49 candidates who were elected unopposed to the reserved seats for females in the 13th Jatiya Sangsad. On Wednesday, Returning Officer and EC Joint Secretary Md. Moin Uddin Khan in a press briefing at Nirbachan Bhaban announced that no candidate withdrew their nomination on the final day for withdrawal until 4 pm, resulting in an equal number of valid candidates against the available seats. Consequently, all 49 were declared elected uncontested.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, of the elected candidates, 36 are from the ruling BNP-led alliance, 12 belong to the Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance, and one is from an independent bloc. The elected BNP MPs are Selima Rahman, Shirin Sultana, Rasheda Begum Hira, Rehana Akhter Ranu, Newaz Halima Arli, Mst Farida Yasmin, Bilkis Islam, Sakila Farzana, Helen Zerin Khan, Nilufar Chowdhury Moni, Nipun Roy Chowdhury, Jiba Amina Khan, Mahmuda Habiba, Mst Sabira Sultana, Sansila Zebrin, Sanjida Islam Tuli, Sultana Ahmed, Fahmida Haque, Anna Minaj, Suborna Sikder, Shamim Ara Begum Swapna, Shammi Akhter, Ferdousi Ahmed, Bithika Binte Hossain, Mst Suraiya Zerin, Mansura Akhter, Zaharat Adib Chowdhury, Mamtaz Alo, Fahima Nasrin, Arifa Sultana, Mst Sanjida Yasmin, Nadia Pathan Papon, Shawkat Ara Akhter, Madhabi Marma, Selina Sultana, and Rezeka Sultana.
Additionally, Sultana Jasmine, a former vice-president of Chhatra Dal, was elected as an independent candidate. The Jamaat lawmakers include Nurunnisa Siddique, Marzia Begum, Sabikunnahar, Mst Nazmun Nahar, Mahfuza Hannan, Sajeda Samad, Samsunnahar Begum, Mardia Mamtaz, Rokeya Begum, Mahmuda Alam Mitu, Tasmia Prodhan, and Mahbuba Hakim.
Regarding the remaining one of the total of 50 reserved seats, the returning officer Moin Uddin Khan noted that the nomination of NCP leader Nusrat Tabassum was initially not accepted due to late submission. She subsequently filed a writ petition with the High Court (No. 5022/2026), which directed the EC to accept her nomination, scrutinize it, and resolve the matter within 72 hours. The EC is currently taking steps in line with the court’s order, Khan mentioned.
Meanwhile, another candidate from the Jamaat alliance, Monira Sharmin, had her nomination rejected earlier as she had not completed three years since leaving government service. The EC stated it has not been informed whether she has filed an appeal against the decision. The Commission added that a final decision on the remaining seat will be made in accordance with the law after the matter concerning Nusrat Tabassum is resolved.