The Election Commission (EC) is preparing to hold the election for the reserved women’s seats of the 13th National Parliament during the current month of Ramadan, with the schedule expected soon. Officials aim to complete the process before Eid, citing the constitutional requirement to elect members to these seats within 90 days of the publication of the parliamentary election gazette.
Based on proportional allocation from the general election results, BNP is expected to receive 35 of the 50 reserved seats, Jamaat-e-Islami 11, and both the National Citizen Party (NCP) and independents one seat each. Under existing law, parties gain one reserved women’s seat for roughly every six general seats won, while independent MPs can only access such seats through alliances.
Separately, the EC plans to hold by-elections for Sherpur-3 and Bogra-6 after Eid. Sherpur-3 voting was postponed following a candidate’s death, while Bogra-6 became vacant after Prime Minister Tarique Rahman left the seat.
Preparations are also underway for elections to Dhaka North, Dhaka South, and Chittagong City Corporations. Terms of these local bodies have already expired or are nearing expiration, and the law requires elections within 180 days of term completion. Since the July 2024 political transition, most city corporations and local government bodies have been run by appointed administrators rather than elected representatives.
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