Forum calls for direct polls in 100 reserved seats, 33% women candidates in parties

A group called the Forum for Women’s Political Rights has demanded direct elections to 100 reserved seats in parliament and the mandatory nomination of at least 33% women candidates by every political party to ensure greater representation of women.

During a press conference today (31 August) at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU), the forum leaders said the current 50 reserved seats do not provide women with meaningful political power. 

Women MPs elected to these seats remain accountable primarily to their political parties, not to the people, which limits their decision-making and leadership capacities, they argued.

The forum’s demands are direct election to 100 reserved seats for women in the 2026 general election; mandatory nomination of at least 33% women candidates in every political party, to be gradually increased to 50%; state funding and a safe electoral environment to ensure equal opportunity for women candidates; restricting MPs’ responsibilities to lawmaking, budget approval and holding the government accountable; reserved seats for ethnic minority, Dalit, disabled and marginalized women.

The forum leaders said that although women make up more than half of the country’s population, their representation in parliament is usually only about 7%. 

They remarked that true political empowerment of women is not only a right but also essential for the sustainability and integrity of democracy.

They said that since women are already elected directly at the local government level, such a system can be implemented in parliament as well. 

The forum believes its proposal can be implemented in the 2026 election without any need for constituency redemarcation.

Following the press conference, the new platform Forum for Women’s Political Rights was formally launched, with notable women activists Samina Luthfa, Nazifa Jannat, Sadaf Saaz, Mahrukh Mohiuddin, Maheen Sultan and Taslima Akhter, among other leaders, in attendance.