The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Forty-six aspirants yesterday submitted their nomination papers to the returning officer at the Election Commission secretariat for the 45 women's seats reserved in parliament on the last date yesterday for filing nomination for the March 30 indirect elections.

Among the candidates, 36 are from Awami League, five from Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and five from Jatiya Party (Ershad).

The AL-nominated candidates are Ashrafunnesa Musharraf, Jahanara Begum, Shahida Tareqh Dipti, Alhaj Shafia Khatun, Asma Jerin Jhumu (Dhaka), Mamtaj Begum (Manikganj), Tarana Halim (Tangail), Dr Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury, Faridun Nahar Laili, Rubi Rahman(Noakhali), Jobeda Khatun Parul, Amena Ahmed (Comilla), Chemon Ara Tyeb (Chittagong), Athinab Rakhain (Cox's Bazar), Farida Rahman (Narail), Nur Afroz Ali (Khuna-Bagerhat), Nurjahan Begum (Jhenidah), Dr Hamida Banu Shobha (Nilphamari), Sultana Bulbul (Dinajpur), Saleha Musharraf (Faridpur), Rawshan Jahan Sathi (Jessore), Jebunnesa Haque (Sylhet), Tahura Ali (Jamalpur), Shahin Monwara Haque (Naogaon), Nazma Akhter (Bagerhat), Apu Ukil (Netrokona), Mahfuza Rahman Rima (Joypurhat), Sadhana Halder (Pirozpur), Professor Jinatun Nesa Talukder (Rajshahi), Principal Khadiza Khatun Shefali (Bogra), Shefali Momtaz (Natore), Shawkat Ara Begum (Chapainawabganj), Farida Rahman Hira (Panchagar), Ahmed Naznin Sultana (Kurigram), Alhaz Mamtaz Begum (Munsiganj) and Parveen Talukder Maya (Barisal).

Nominated from the BNP are Shammi Akhter, Rehana Akhter Ranu, Adv Syeda Asita Ashika Ashrafi Papiya, Rasheda Begum Hira and Neelufar Chowdhury Moni while the Jatiya Party candidates are Mahjabin Murshed, Salma Islam, Nasrin Jahan Runa, Nor-e-Hasna Lily Chowdhury and Marina Rahman.

Talking to reporters, AL leader and LGRD Minister Syed Ashraful Islam said the government would terminate indirect elections for the women' s reserved seats in parliament this time as the process of electing 100 women by direct voting would be initiated from next time.

Stating that in the future 100 women will come to parliament through direct election, the LGRD Minister said, "The government would take necessary step to amend the constitution in time for this purpose."

EC deputy secretary Jesmine Tuli is returning officer for conducting the polls. EC deputy secretary Mihir Sarwar Murshed is assistant returning and senior assistant secretaries Farhad Ahmed Khan and Md Abdul Baten are polling officers.

According to the election schedule, March 15 is the day for scrutiny of the nomination papers while the withdrawal of candidatures will take place on March 19 till 2pm. The voting will be held on March 30 from 8am to 4pm.