Dhaka, February 8, 2024— In the fervent pursuit of securing the ruling party’s tickets for the coveted women's reserved seats in the 12th parliament, Awami League has experienced an unprecedented surge in enthusiasm. A remarkable 1549 women have actively engaged in this democratic process by acquiring nomination forms. Over the last three days, starting from Tuesday, the party has generated a total of TK 7.75 crore through the sale of nomination forms.
Awami League's General Secretary, Obaidul Quader, disclosed this information during a press briefing held at the central office of the party in Bangabandhu Avenue, the capital, on Thursday. The diverse group of women seeking nomination forms includes former Members of Parliament (MPs), renowned showbiz stars, social activists, and notable personalities from the entertainment industry.
A noteworthy aspect of this electoral process is the active participation of showbiz celebrities, with a total of 15 stars collecting nomination forms with the aspiration of securing an Awami League ticket to enter the parliament.
The sold nomination forms amount to a staggering TK 7.74 crore and cover a total of 50 reserved seats. Out of these, the Awami League will distribute 48 reserved seats among its women leaders on February 14.
The competition for these highly sought-after reserved seats has escalated since the initiation of the nomination form sale by the ruling Awami League on Tuesday. On the first day alone, the party sold 810 forms, accumulating a substantial income of TK 4.5 crore. The momentum continued on the second day, with 522 forms sold, resulting in a total income of TK 2.61 crore and the party sold 217 nomination forms on the last day.
Besides, in their quest for nominations, these aspiring candidates have been actively participating in various events at the Gano Bhaban and AL Chief Sheikh Hasina's Dhanmondi political office. Additionally, they are making visits to the residences of influential AL leaders, underscoring their commitment to securing a spot in the upcoming parliamentary assembly.
Sources within the Awami League suggest that female leaders who were initially nominated but withdrew due to seat-sharing arrangements with the alliance will be given priority in the selection process.
As a dominant political force, the Awami League plans to prioritise nominating new faces, particularly those who were deprived in the previous years. Individuals nominated by the party in the last national elections but subjected to deprivation and those who later supported the alliance candidate after winning the party's nomination are likely to be endorsed and nominated to compete for the reserved seats.
The AL's strategic moves reflect its commitment to fostering fresh talent and recognizing the resilience of women leaders in the political landscape.
Key leaders of the Awami League emphasise that 5-7 leaders from the Awami League Central Working Committee may secure positions in the parliamentary assembly through these reserved seats. This includes female leaders at the district level, former and current leaders of the Bangladesh Mohila Awami League and the Jubo Mohila League, as well as individuals from various cultural and entertainment backgrounds.
