Dhaka, Sep 24 (V7N) – The Women’s Political Rights Forum has called for direct elections to the 100 proposed reserved seats for women in the upcoming national elections and for political parties to nominate at least 33 percent women candidates in general constituencies.

The forum’s representatives presented the proposal during a meeting with the Election Commission at the Election Building in Agargaon on Tuesday afternoon.

In a written statement, the forum said the direct election of reserved seats—set to be introduced in the 2026 parliamentary polls—and mandatory one-third nominations for women would ensure women’s political rights in line with the Constitution’s basic principles and help strengthen democracy.

Leaders of the forum added that women continue to face social and financial barriers at the grassroots, and without addressing these challenges, genuine political empowerment will remain out of reach.

Both sides of the meeting agreed on the importance of a long-term action plan to institutionalize and strengthen women’s political rights in Bangladesh.

END/SMA/AJ