DHAKA, April 4, 2022 (BSS) - The women's participation in local government elections especially in union parishad (UP) has remarkably increased. Even, they were elected chairmen in many UPs defeating their rival male candidates.

Election Commission (EC) officials said woman candidates clinched chairman posts in 45 UPs among the total 4,058 in the last UP elections starting from June 2021 to February 2022 as their winning rate was now above one percent.

Earlier, the woman candidates won 26 chairman posts among 4,087 UPs in 2016's polls which was 0.64 percent of winning rate, they said.

They also said they are seeing the increase of women representatives in local government polls positively.

The number of women's participation in local government polls was very low even 10 years ago, they said, adding that but the last elections showed different scenario as many women candidates even contested as independent.

Among the 45 winners (women chairmen), many were independent candidates, the EC officials said.

They went on saying the Representation of the People Order stipulates that political parties will have to ensure women's participation in 33 percent posts of all committees and most of the parties are implementing the provision that increases the number of women chairmen.

In the last UPs polls, the elected women chairmen are - Morsheda Akther (Awami League) from Tetelgathi of Morelganj in Bagerhat, Bishakha Shaha (independent) of Joynagar of Kolaroa, Mst. Mafhia Akthar (independent) in Baro Darga of Pirganj in Rangpur, Mst. Alfatun Nessa (Awami League) in Boalia of Naogaon Sadar, Hasna Hena (Awami League) in Moghi of Magura Sadar, Tanzin Nahar Sonia (Awami League) in Badarpur of Patuakhali Sadar, Nazmun Nahar (Awami League) in Bhatshala in Sherpur Sadar, Tahamina (Awami League) in Dewli of Delduar of Tangail, Mowshumi Haque Sultana (independent) in Laxmipur in Kalkini upazila in Madaripur, Putul Rani Das (Awami League) in Nasirnagar in Brahmanbaria, Khodseta Begum Rina (Awami League) in Dakkhin Mithachari of Ramu in Cox's Bazar, Monowara Begum (independent) in Shibchar of Madaripur, Nadira Rahman (independent) in Tangibaria of Barishal Sadar, Baby Rani Das (Awami League) in Jolla of Ujirpur, Beauty Shikdar (Awami League) in Shokthogoger in Razarpur of Jhalakathi, Jesmin Akther (Awami League) in Shiddhakathi of Nalshiti, Sharmin Jahan (Awami League) in Amragachia in Mathbaria of Pirojpur, and Sohely Parvin (Awami League) in Arpangashia of Amatali in Barguna.

Besides, Sultana Jahan (Awami League) in Astamanisha of Bhangura in Pabna, Panna Khatun (Awami League) in Sobdalpur under Sripur in Magura, Nazmin Begum (Awami League) in Lohagara of Narail, Sanzida Akther (Awami League) in Malkhanagar under Sirajdikhan in Munshiganj, Mst. Shefali Akther (Awami League) in Baniboho of Rajbari Sadar, Rafeza Begum (Awami League) in Amtali of Kotalipara in Gopalganj, Mst. Milia Aminul (Awami League) in Barni of Tungipara, Umme Ruma (Awami League) in Sonagazi of Feni, Bilkis Jahan (Awami League) in Hadira under Gopalpur in Tangail, Mst. Jesmin Nahar Rani (Awami League) in Meduari under Bhaluka of Mymensingh, Shirin Chowdhury (Awami League) in Agla under Nawababganj in Dhaka, Reshma Akther (Awami League) in Joykrishnwapur, Mst. Telina Sarker Himu (Awami League) in Boirchuna of Pirganj, Mst. Sonita Nasrin (Awami League) in Nimgachi under Dhunat of Bagura, Mst. Chania Sabur (Awami League) in Rayganj under Belkuchi of Sirajganj, Nurjahan Begum (Awami League) in Nimaichora under Chatmohar in Pabna, Mst. Anowara Khatun (Awami League) in Lakkhanpur under Sharsha in Jashore, Poly Begum (Awami League) in Hamidpur of Narail, Ruji Haque (Awami League) in Maouli, Mst. Safia Parvin (Jatiya Party) in Krishnawnagar of Kaliganj in Satkhira, Farhana Afrin Munna (Awami League) in Purbo Borobhewola of Chawkaria in Cox's Bazar and Mahmuda Begum in Merongway in Dighinala of Kharachari have been elected as chairmen.

Other elected women chairman are - Mst. Nahid Sultana (Awami League) in Santahar under Adamdighi in Bogura, Mst. Ferdowsi Yeasmin (Awami League) in Ichali of Jashore Sadar, Mst. Roksana Begum (Awami League) in Datta Bazar of Mymensingh, Mst. Taslima Akther (Awami League) in Moazzempur of Nandail, Mst. Hasina Mamtaz (Awami League) in Rajbari under Sreepur in Gazipur, Razia Swapna (independent) in Belabor of Narsingdi, Mst. Bilkis Banu (Awami League) in Kalimhar of Rajbari and Nasrin Sultana Dipa in Sukhair Rajapur Uttar of Sunamganj.