Female voters are emerging as a decisive factor in the upcoming national election across Khulna’s six parliamentary constituencies, even as the region fields only one female candidate among dozens of male contenders.
Out of 38 candidates contesting the six seats, Jatiya Party nominee Shamim Ara Parveen is the sole woman, running from Khulna-5 (Dumuria–Phultala). The remaining 37 candidates are male.
According to Election Commission data, Khulna has 2,101,335 registered voters, including 1,054,874 women and 1,046,432 men, giving women a slight numerical edge of 8,442 voters—a margin that could prove crucial in closely fought races.
The BNP has fielded candidates in all six constituencies, while Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Andolan Bangladesh are contesting five seats each. The Jatiya Party is running in four constituencies, the CPB in three, and Khelafat Majlis in one. Several smaller parties and independent candidates are also in the race.
A key talking point among voters—particularly women in rural areas—is BNP’s proposed ‘Family Card’ initiative. The plan has sparked widespread discussion and drawn positive responses, with many women seeing it as a potential lifeline for financially strained households.
Sonia Begum, a widow from Sabuj Palli in Batiyaghata, said she currently receives an old-age allowance and believes a family card would be extremely helpful. A cancer patient, she said she intends to vote in the hope of benefiting from the initiative.
Meanwhile, Sazib Bhuiyan, a former worker of the now-closed Khulishpur Jute Mill and a voter from Khulna-3, said his family has struggled since the mill shut down.
“Now we are hearing promises to reopen the mill and provide family cards. That is why I will go to the polling centre,” he said.
Women voters from Khulna-2, Khulna-4, and Khulna-5 also said the family card issue is a top priority for them, though most declined to disclose which party they plan to support.
BNP leader and Khulna-2 MP Nazrul Islam Manju said the party’s campaign places strong emphasis on women’s issues under the guidance of party chairman Tarique Rahman.
“Alongside the family card, issues such as women’s dignity, education, employment, and the development of healthcare and agriculture sectors are being highlighted,” he said, expressing confidence that a large segment of women voters would back BNP candidates.