EC Unveils Schedule for Reserved Women’s Seat Elections; Voting on May 12
During a press briefing at the Election Building in Agargaon on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed detailed the timeline for the upcoming electoral process. According to the gazette, the elections will be held on May 12, with voting scheduled from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. This announcement officially triggers the start of political maneuvering as parties move to finalize their nominations for the prestigious legislative seats.
The announced roadmap sets April 21 as the final deadline for the submission of nomination papers. Following the submission, the Commission will conduct a thorough scrutiny of the documents on April 22 and 23. Prospective candidates will have the opportunity to appeal any decisions made by the Returning Officer on April 26, with those appeals being resolved between April 27 and 28. The deadline for the withdrawal of candidacy is fixed for April 29, and the official symbols will be allocated to the contesting candidates on April 30.
In line with the proportional representation in the current parliament, the seat distribution among political parties has already been clarified by the Commission. Based on the general election results, the BNP-led alliance is set to receive 36 reserved seats, while the Jamaat-led alliance will be allotted 13 seats. The remaining one seat will go to the alliance formed by independent candidates. The EC Secretary emphasized that this distribution strictly follows the constitutional mandate and the Representation of the People Order (RPO) based on the strength of each party in the House.
Aspiring candidates have been instructed to collect and submit their nomination forms at the Returning Officer's office located within the Election Building in Agargaon. The Commission has ensured that all logistical arrangements are in place to manage the submission process smoothly. Political observers note that since the general seats were gazetted on February 13, the EC is legally bound to conclude these elections by May 14. By setting the date for May 12, the Commission is on track to meet the 90-day constitutional deadline, marking a significant step in completing the formation of the 13th Parliament.
