DHAKA, April 23, 2026 (BSS) – The Election Commission (EC) has declared the nomination papers of all 36 candidates from the BNP alliance valid for the reserved women’s seats in the 13th National Parliament.

After two days of scrutiny, a total of 49 candidates were declared valid today. Of these, 36 are from the BNP, one from an independent alliance and 12 from the Jamaat-e-Islami alliance.

Returning Officer and Joint Secretary of the EC Secretariat Md Moin Uddin Khan disclosed the information after the scrutiny process at the Election Bhaban in the city’s Agargaon today.

The valid BNP candidates 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, Sabira Sultana, Sansila Zebrin, Sanjida Islam Tuli, Sultana Ahmed, Fahmida Haque, Anna Minaj, Suborna Sikder, Shamim Ara Begum Swapna, Shammi Akhter, Ferdousi Ahmed, Bitika Binte Hossain, Suraiya Zerin, Mansura Akhter, Zaharat Adib Chowdhury, Momtaz Alo, Fahima Nasrin, Arifa Sultana, Sanjida Yasmin, Nadia Pathan Papon, Shawkat Ara Akhter, Madhavi Marma, Selina Sultana and Rezeka Sultana.

Simultaneously, the nomination of Sultana Jasmine Jui, former vice-president of Chhatra Dal, as a candidate of an independent alliance aligned with the BNP, was also validated.

The EC Secretariat said the nomination of Monira Sharmin, a candidate of the Jamaat alliance (NCP), was cancelled as three years had not passed since her resignation from government service, as required by law.

After initial scrutiny, the nomination papers of 12 candidates from the Jamaat alliance were accepted as valid yesterday.

They are Nurunnisa Siddique, Marzia Begum, Sabikun Nahar Munni, Mardia Momtaz, Nazmun Nahar Nilu, Mahfuza Siddique, Sajeda Samad, Samsun Nahar, Mahmuda Alam Mitu, Tasmia Prodhan, Mahbuba Hakim and Rokeya Begum.

As a result, one of the 13 seats allocated to Jamaat-e-Islami under proportional representation remains vacant and is likely to be filled under a new schedule.

Besides, the nomination papers of three independent candidates were also rejected due to lack of support from any party or alliance.

According to the EC’s previously announced schedule, appeals against the Returning Officer’s decision can be filed on April 26.

The appeals will be disposed of on April 27 and 28. Candidates may withdraw their candidature until April 29.

Symbols will be allotted to the final candidates on April 30 and voting will be held on May 12.

It is noteworthy that if the number of valid candidates for the reserved women’s seats equals the number of seats allocated to a party or alliance, they will be elected unopposed.