A total of 53 candidates submitted nomination papers for reserved women’s seats in the 13th National Parliament election, scheduled for May 12, as the deadline ended on Tuesday.
Candidates collected and submitted nomination papers to the Election Commission (EC), with the process concluding at 4:00 pm on the final day.
Of the submissions, 36 nomination papers were from the BNP-led alliance, 13 from the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance, one from an independent alliance candidate Sultana Jesmin, and three from independent candidates—Shamma Akter, Mosammat Mehrunnessa and Mahbuba Rahman.
The information was disclosed at the Election Commission building in Agargaon, Dhaka, by Joint Secretary and Returning Officer Md Moin Uddin Khan.
He said scrutiny of nomination papers will be held at the returning officer’s office on April 22 and 23—from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm on April 22 and from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on April 23.
Appeals against scrutiny decisions may be filed with the Election Commission on April 26 between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm, while hearings will be held on April 27 and 28 from 11:00 am until completion.
The deadline for withdrawal of candidature is April 29 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, while symbols will be allocated on April 30 from 10:00 am onwards. Voting will take place on May 12 from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Responding to a question, Moin Uddin Khan said candidate eligibility is determined under the Representation of the People Order (RPO), which outlines qualifications and disqualifications.
He added that provisions regarding persons holding offices of profit in government service, including post-retirement eligibility to contest elections, are also considered during scrutiny.