Women’s forum calls for 33% female candidates in parliamentary elections

The Forum for Women’s Political Rights has submitted six demands to the Election Commission, including a mandatory requirement for political parties to nominate 33 percent female candidates in parliamentary elections. Ahead of the national elections, the platform of women’s organisations called for electoral law reforms to ensure these demands are met. On Tuesday, forum representatives presented their proposals during a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at the Nirbachan Bhaban in Agargaon, Dhaka. The delegation, led by Maheen Sultan, a member of the Women’s Reform Commission, included Sadaf Saaz Siddiqi, executive council member of Naripokkho; Shima Dutta, president of Bangladesh Nari Mukti Kendra; and Shyamoli Shil, chair of Nari Sanghati. Four election commissioners -- Abdur Rahmanel Masud, Tahmida...