Seven Women Elected to Bangladesh Parliament in Landmark Vote

Seven women candidates have been elected to the Bangladesh Parliament following the 13th national election held on February 12, 2024. According to unofficial results reported by *The Dhaka Tribune*, the majority of these successful candidates hail from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which is poised to secure an absolute majority in the legislature.

The BNP fielded only ten female candidates in the elections across 300 constituencies. Six of these candidates won their respective seats: Afroza Khan Rita from Manikganj-3, Israt Sultana Elen Bhutto from Jhalokati-2, Tahsina Rushdir Luna from Sylhet-2, Shama Obaid from Faridpur-2, Nayab Yusuf Kamal from Faridpur-3, and Farzana Sharmin Putul from Natore-1. Additionally, Barrister Rumin Farhana, who previously left the BNP, was elected as an independent candidate from Brahmanbaria-2.

Electoral Context and Voter Turnout

The BNP is expected to form the government with more than 151 seats in the 300-seat Parliament, marking a significant victory in this crucial election. Media reports indicate that the Jamaat-e-Islami party, part of an 11-party alliance, is leading or winning in approximately 75 seats.

Voter turnout for this election was notably high, with 59.44 percent of registered voters participating, according to the Election Commission. A total of nearly 127 million voters were registered, including five million first-time voters, who cast their ballots at 42,779 polling centres nationwide. The election in one constituency was canceled due to the death of a candidate, impacting the total number of contested seats.

This election is particularly significant as it is the first in decades without a female leader in a prominent position. The Awami League, led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, was barred from contesting the election, while her political rival, Khaleda Zia, passed away in December 2023 after a long illness. Both women had dominated Bangladeshi politics for around four decades.

As Bangladesh moves forward with this new parliamentary composition, the inclusion of these women candidates may influence future legislation and representation in a historically male-dominated political landscape.