The BNP nomination board, presided over by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, conducted interviews for 36 female leaders from Chattogram on Saturday afternoon.
The candidates are vying for the party's nomination for reserved women's seats in the 13th National Parliament.
Out of the 50 reserved seats in Parliament, 36 have been allocated to the BNP-led alliance. Candidates finalized by the board are expected to be elected unopposed if the number of nominees matches the allocated seats.
According to the Election Commission’s schedule announced on April 8, the deadline for submitting nomination papers is April 21. Scrutiny will take place on April 22 and 23, with the official election set for May 12.
Party insiders revealed that the selection criteria focus on long-term organizational loyalty, sacrifices during political movements, and academic qualifications. High-ranking leaders emphasized that nominees must possess the skills and knowledge necessary to play an effective role in parliamentary debates.
Prominent interviewees from Chattogram include Barrister Shakila Farzana, Monowara Begum Moni, Dr. Kamrun Nahar Dastagir, and Jelli Chowdhury, among others.
Barrister Shakila Farzana noted that while she initially sought a direct election mandate, she remains committed to the party’s final decision regarding the reserved seats.
