Women leaders on Sunday at a press conference in Dhaka called on the political parties to raise their voices for doubling the reserved seats for women in the national parliament to 100, and also for holding direct elections in these seats.
Narir Rajnoitik Ohikar Forum, a platform of 12 women organisations which floated on August 31, raised the demands at a press conference at Dhaka Reporters Unity.
Dhaka University teacher Samina Lutfa read out a written speech at the press conference, demanding doubling of the seats reserved for women in the next parliament elections to 100 from the current 50, and also direct elections in these seats instead of the current system of selection.
She also called on the political parties to nominate women candidates at least in 33 per cent seats among 300 parliamentary seats.
The Consensus Commission after holding series of meetings with the political parties, recommended keeping intact the current number of seats reserved for women in the parliament at 50.
It has also recommended that political parties give nomination to women candidates at least in 5 per cent of 300 seats.
Human rights activist Farah Kabir said at the press conference that they were holding views exchange meetings with the leaders of different political parties, motivating them to positively respond to their demands.
Publisher Mahrukh Mohiuddin observed that it would be well possible to double the reserved seats for women and also to hold direct elections in these seats in the coming 2026 elections.
Labour leader Taslima Akhter said that discussions should be initiated immediately about how direct elections in the reserved seats could be held.
