In the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Elections, 51 political parties are participating, with a total of 1,967 candidates contesting in 298 of the 300 constituencies. Candidates in the remaining two constituencies are expected to be finalised on January 26.
Despite the scale of participation, women’s representation remains alarmingly low.
Only 86 Women Candidates Nationwide
Of the 51 parties, 30 political parties—including Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami—have not nominated a single female candidate. Among the remaining 21 parties, only 86 women are contesting the elections directly.
The figures underline a stark gender imbalance in electoral politics, even as women make up nearly half of Bangladesh’s population.
Voter Statistics Highlight the Disparity
According to the Election Commission (EC), a total of 127,711,895 voters are eligible to vote in the elections and referendum scheduled for February 12.
• Men: 64,825,151
• Women: 62,885,524
• Third gender: 1,120
While women constitute almost half of the electorate, their representation among candidates remains negligible.
Major Parties and Female Representation
Among major political parties:
• Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has nominated candidates in 289 constituencies, but only nine women are contesting under its symbol, the Sheaf of Paddy.
• Jatiya Party has fielded five female candidates.
• National Citizen Party (NCP) has two female candidates.
Other parties with female candidates include:
• Ganosamhati Andolon: 4
• Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (BASAD): 3
• Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (Marxist): 8
• Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD): 6
• Insaniyat Biplob Bangladesh: 6
• Gono Forum: 2
The Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Nagorik Oikya, Biplobi Workers Party, Bangladesh Republican Party (BRP), Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party), and several others have each nominated one female candidate.
In addition, seven women are contesting as independent candidates. Notable among them are former MP Rumeen Farhana, contesting from Brahmanbaria-2 as a BNP rebel candidate, and former National Citizen Party leader Tasnim Jara, contesting from Dhaka-9.
Long-Standing Commitments Remain Unfulfilled
In 1995, the government pledged to ensure direct elections for women in 30 percent of parliamentary seats. More than three decades later, that commitment remains unimplemented.
Despite holding senior positions within political parties, many women continue to be excluded from electoral contests. Political parties often cite the lack of “suitable” female candidates—a claim widely criticised as a reflection of structural discrimination rather than actual scarcity.
A Persistent Democratic Deficit
The data once again exposes a systemic barrier to women’s political participation in Bangladesh. As the country prepares for another national election, the absence of meaningful female representation raises serious questions about inclusive democracy, political accountability, and equal rights.