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Reserved Women’s Seats
EC declares nomination of BNP’s 36 candidates valid
Daily Sun Report, Dhaka
Published: 23 Apr 2026, 12:38 PM
Photo: Collected
The Election Commission (EC) has declared all 36 nomination papers submitted by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) alliance for reserved women’s seats in the 13th National Parliament as valid.
The scrutiny of nomination papers began on Thursday morning (23 April) at the Election Commission office in Agargaon, Dhaka.
Following the verification process, the EC confirmed the validity of all 36 BNP alliance candidates.
In addition, the nomination paper of independent alliance-nominated candidate Sultana Jesmin was also initially accepted. However, the nomination papers of three independent candidates—Mahbuba Rahman, Sharmin Akhter and Meherun Nesa—were rejected by the Election Commission.
The Returning Officer said that those whose nominations were cancelled would be able to appeal by 26 April.
Meanwhile, National Citizen Party (NCP) leader Monira Sharmin has been given until 12 noon on Thursday to submit the required documents.
Earlier on Monday (20 April), BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced the names of the 36 candidates.
They are 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, the deadline for submission of nomination papers was 21 April, while scrutiny took place on 22 and 23 April. Appeals against rejected nominations will be filed on 26 April, with hearings and decisions scheduled for 27 and 28 April.
The withdrawal of candidature will take place on 29 April, followed by the allocation of symbols on 30 April. The election for the reserved women’s seats in the 13th National Parliament will be held on 12 May.